05/10/2025
21 historic photos stolen from Glenwood’s Medical Mall
The images, dating back to the late 1800s, were part of a public display meant to connect visitors with the region’s medical legacy.
WEST MONROE, La. (KNOE) - 21 irreplaceable photographs chronicling the history of healthcare in Ouachita Parish have vanished from the halls of the Glenwood Regional Medical Mall in West Monroe.
The images, dating back to the late 1800s, were part of a public display meant to connect visitors with the region’s medical legacy.
Michael Nolan, Security Director for Glenwood, says the theft has left staff stunned. “This is something that belongs to the community as a whole,” Nolan told me. “It’s why they were displayed where they were — for the community to see, to see a story.”
The photos were first noticed missing on September 15, and a formal police report was filed on September 23. Nolan says the images depicted former staff members, physicians, and facilities that shaped the area’s healthcare system. “It tells a story of something that we’re losing here,” he said. “Someone else has it, and it’s not theirs to take.”
Staff say the display helped patients feel connected to West Monroe’s past. Nolan emphasized that the photographs weren’t just decorative — they were a bridge to the community’s identity. “These photographs are part of our identity,” he said. “They’re not just pictures — they’re pieces of our history.”
The images included scenes of early hospital wards, portraits of pioneering physicians, and snapshots of community health initiatives. Nolan said many families in the area have ties to the individuals and institutions featured in the photos.
Nolan confirmed that there are potential suspects, and the investigation is ongoing. He urges whoever took the photos to return them.
If you have any information, contact West Monroe Police or Glenwood Regional Medical Mall directly.
By Sophia Hauswirth
Published: Oct. 1, 2025 at 6:48 AM CDT
