West Monroe, Louisiana

West Monroe is a city on the Ouachita River in Louisiana. Located in Ouachita Parish, West Monroe has a population of about 13,200. West Monroe has developed since the early 19th century, first agriculturally and then industrially, thanks to close ties with its "twin city" across the river, Monroe. Today, West Monroe offers a mix of industry and culture in a scenic setting. Notable employers include Voith-Sulzer, Louisiana Plastics, and Bancroft Bags. West Monroe is also home to the 1022nd Engineer Company of the 225th Engineer Brigade, which is headquartered at Camp Beauregard.

Settlement began in West Monroe in the late 18th century, but substantial growth began with the establishment of a ferry service from Monroe in 1815. Cotton farms, sheds and warehouse quickly sprung up along the river. In 1851, one such property became the town of Trenton. Just south of Trenton, the community of Cotton Port was developing at the Texas Railroad terminus. In 1883, with the railroad bridge completed, the towns were ready to incorporate; as the name Cotton Port was already registered, they became West Monroe. During the 20th century, papermaking became as dominant an industry as cotton was in the 18th century. The Brown Paper Mill was established in 1923 as the first American kraft paper mill. Despite severe flooding in 1927 and 1932, the mill was successful, and produced corrugated Victory Board boxes for the military in World War II. In 1955, the Brown mill was purchased by Olin Mathieson Chemical Company as part of its Forest Products Division, which became Olinkraft in 1967. The mill changed hands several more times before being acquired by Riverwood International, and is currently operated by parent company Graphic Packing Holding Company. Georgia Pacific also has a manufacturing facility in West Monroe.

West Monroe's history of manufacturing and construction make asbestos exposure a cause of concern for workers and their loved ones. Individuals exposed to asbestos-containing materials may be at risk for mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. If you or a loved one were diagnosed with mesothelioma in West Monroe, you may also benefit from seeking the advice of a mesothelioma lawyer.

Jobsites in West Monroe where Asbestos Exposure Occurred

A number of jobsites in West Monroe, 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.