Looking to Repair Your Monroe Home Following a Fire?

3/7/2021 (Permalink)

Regardless whether the fire damage was minor or extensive, team SERVPRO can help. Contact our certified technicians for services.

SERVPRO Plays an Instrumental Role in Fire Damage Restoration in Monroe

Monroe is the parish seat of Ouachita Parish. It is a small city of approximately 50,000 people in Northern Louisiana. West Monroe, across the Ouachita River, is called Monroe's twin city. West Monroe has a smaller population of fewer than 15,000 people. Fort Miro was the first name of the town which then became Monroe after the steamboat James Monroe. Interestingly enough, the steamboat was named after James Monroe, the fifth president, so the city was indirectly named after him as well.

In 1913, Joseph Biedenharn moved to Monroe. Biedenharn was the first bottler of Coca-Cola, which revolutionized the soda industry. He began bottling in 1894 but moved his business operation to Monroe. With Biendenharn's ingenuity, Coca-Cola made its way into more rural areas. Before bottling, candy shops clerks manually mixed Coca-Cola at the soda fountain. Early distribution of Coca-Cola into rural areas required careful transportation of the bottles holding carbonated beverages by horse and carriage.

Biedenharn was an entrepreneur and businessman. According to family legend, Biedenharn family members bought candy stores that did not sell Coca-Cola simply to promote the product. Another one of his more famous ventures was founding Delta Air Lines with his son, then known as Delta Dusters. Biedenharn was a city commissioner in Monroe and was personally responsible for paving the roads for the city.

Biedenharn's home and gardens are now open to the public under the name. The Biedenharn Museum and Gardens is open to the public. One of the standing exhibits is Coca-Cola memorabilia. Included is a Model-T delivery truck, signs, and bottles that showcase its progression. Bottles range from 1899 to 1981. The bottles in the exhibit are from various parts of the world and showcase varying designs. There are even several bottles carrying the Biedenharn name.

Other Features of the Biedenharn Museum and Gardens of Monroe include:

• The historic home is filled with family relics and artifacts from the time.
• Formal English Gardens
• A Bible Museum stemming from Emy-Lou Biedenharn's personal collection, including Bibles from the 1400s and 1600s. 
• Other rotating exhibits

Repairs and Restoration after a Fire in Monroe

Historical buildings in cities like Monroe have a greater risk for extensive damage from a fire. When a fire occurs, it is essential to seek professional assistance to ensure proper fire damage restoration in Monroe. Older buildings often have porous and unfinished surfaces.

Technicians clean the following surfaces:

• Unsealed wood requires a dry cleaning sponge for light residues and heavier soils clean with denatured alcohol. 
• Plaster surfaces require a very gentle touch or may need replacement if too fragile. 
• Acoustical Tiled walls should be pre-cleaned with a dry sponge and then clean with peroxide.
• Concrete and masonry require a variety of cleaning techniques and products depending on the porosity of the surface.

For 24/7 assistance after a fire, contact SERVPRO of Monroe / West Monroe at (318) 345-5121. We make it, "Like it never even happened."