A letter from Bellevue appeared in the July 27, 1881 issue of the Galveston Daily News and mentions the quality of Shed Road.
"This is a happily located town on the main road from Shreveport to Monroe. It is thought that the anticipated railroad from Monroe westward will leave it several miles. It is among the hills, at a considerable distance from the rich river bottom that is so abundant in the parish. The river front is about 150 miles, with an average width of 5 or 6 miles. Both the corn and cotton crops are excellent in this extensive bottom. In the hills the recent rains have helped cotton considerably.
The road through this bottom, once almost impassable, is now covered with a substantial shed, which protects it from the heavy winter rains, keeping it constantly hard and dry. The posts are cypress, obtained principally from the bottom. The cover is made of broad pine planks, 12 to 15 feet in length, sawed at the extensive steam sawmill at Bellevue."
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
1892 - The Situation in Bossier
In 1892, Bossier Parish experienced heavy flooding from the Red River. The May 29 issue of The Shreveport Times tells of the rising water, which threatened the railroad tracks in Bossier.
The Cotton Belt Railway ran a relief train between Shreveport and the flooded areas of Bossier Parish to get residents out of harm's way. As of the May 29th newspaper article, the relief train had brought about 200 people to Shreveport. On the train's last trip to Bossier, it encountered water a half mile north of Vanceville (which is along the Red River between Benton and Bossier City). "The water was over the track for about three miles and was from three to four feet deep. It was running so swift that the work trains could not accomplish anything...Owing to the condition of affairs, all trains on the Cotton Belt have been abandoned and will be compelled to remain so until the waters recede."
The Cotton Belt Railway ran a relief train between Shreveport and the flooded areas of Bossier Parish to get residents out of harm's way. As of the May 29th newspaper article, the relief train had brought about 200 people to Shreveport. On the train's last trip to Bossier, it encountered water a half mile north of Vanceville (which is along the Red River between Benton and Bossier City). "The water was over the track for about three miles and was from three to four feet deep. It was running so swift that the work trains could not accomplish anything...Owing to the condition of affairs, all trains on the Cotton Belt have been abandoned and will be compelled to remain so until the waters recede."
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
1940 Census
Just 19 days until the 1940 census is released! Are you looking forward to finding your relatives in the census? Remember that upon its release, the 1940 census will not be indexed immediately. This makes it a little more challenging to find your relatives, so visit us at the Historical Center to prepare. We can help you collect addresses for the people you’d like to locate in the census. Sources for 1940 addresses include the 1930 Census, WWII draft records, naturalization petitions, and city directories. We have Shreveport-Bossier city directories in our collection that will help in locating your ancestors.
You will also need to know the census enumeration district in which a 1940s address was located. The National Archives has online tools available to assist you in finding enumeration districts.
You will also need to know the census enumeration district in which a 1940s address was located. The National Archives has online tools available to assist you in finding enumeration districts.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Closing scheduled
The Historical Center and the Central Library will be closed from Sunday, March 4 through Friday, March 9 for system updates. We will reopen on Saturday, March 10.
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