The story of the orphanage was relegated to a mention on page eight of the Morning Advocate’s Aug. 12, 1926, edition, downpage from a fiery story about gangster outfits battling it out in Chicago.
“Protestant Orphans Will Get New Home,” the Baton Rouge headline announced. “Plans are now being made by the board of the Protestant Orphans Home for the erection of a new home on the site of the North Street orphanage property in the near future.”
A new home for orphaned girls was news in the capitol city, but not the kind that warranted front page headlines. A year later, next to the silent movie listings for the downtown Columbia, Louisiana and People’s theaters, the newspaper announced the building’s completion on page 12 in its Sept. 15, 1927, edition.
“The new home is of red brick with white pillars in front giving a colonial effect,” the article states. “Modern comforts have been provided within the building, which include a hot water heating system, a small infirmary and other equipment.”…