Alexandria, Louisiana

Alexandria is a city on the Red River in Louisiana. The parish seat of Rapides Parish, Alexandria has a population of about 47,700. Alexandria was founded in 1805 and was chartered as a city in 1832. Once known for its cotton and lumber products, Alexandria maintains an active shipping port, and a manufacturing base that includes companies such as Procter and Gamble and the Union Tank Car Company. Alexandria is also home to two major hospitals and the campus of Louisiana State University.

During the 18th century, cotton and lumber were among Alexandria's principal commodities. Despite occupation by Union forces during the Civil War, and the decline of the plantation system following Emancipation, Alexandria's fortunes began to recover in the late 19th century. By the early 20th century, the city was home to a number of manufacturers, many taking advantage of the local abundance of cottonseed and timber. The Alexandria Compress and Warehouse Company was founded in 1887 to process cotton for shipment to market. The Red River Oil Company, though experiencing a temporary shutdown in the 1920s, continued for a time after World War II as the Red River Cotton Products Company. In 1914, the Sonia Oil Company was purchased by Georgia investors and operated as the Alexandria Cotton Oil Company until the mid-1920s. Wood products also flourished. The Alexandria Cooperage Company was founded in 1909, and the A. Wykof & Son Wood Water Pipe Company opened a factory in the city in 1910. The Arkansas Oak Flooring Company established a local sawmill in 1926. Other wood products made in Alexandria included veneer, caskets, and axe handles. England Air Force Base operated from 1942-1992 as a military facility, and currently operates as the Alexandria International Airport. Alexandria’s economy today is a mix of manufacturing, tourism and service-related industries.

Alexandria has a varied history of manufacturing and construction, which makes asbestos exposure an ongoing concern for workers and their loved ones, who may be at risk for mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. If you were exposed to asbestos in Alexandria, you may benefit from seeking the advice of an asbestos attorney.

Jobsites in Alexandria where Asbestos Exposure Occurred

A number of jobsites in Alexandria, LA have been identified as harboring asbestos containing materials. These sites, at one point in their history, were known to have exposed a variety of tradesmen to asbestos. We will be documenting in more detail how asbestos exposure occurred at these sites in the future on this web site.