"Notice Of Intention To Sell Bonds For New Jail Being Published"

The March 19, 1936 issue of the Bossier Banner announced plans for bonds for a new jail to be published.

“The Bossier Parish Police Jury this week begins the publication of its intention to issue bonds to defray the cost of constructing a new Parish Jail, to be erected in Benton at a cost of between $18,000 and $24,000. The initial step in this matter was taken by the jury at its meeting, held Tuesday of last week, when the Parish Health Officer, Dr. C. H. Irion, informed the jurors that the present jail has become so unsanitary that he would condemn it at once, unless steps to remedy the condition existing are taken.”

Dr. C.H. Irion; Scanland collection, 0000.004.013

“The jury plans to allot a half mill of its ad valorem tax, for four years to pay for the new jail.”

“Since the jury’s action became known citizens of Bossier City, who favor removal of the parish seat to the city, have voiced their objections to the building of a jail at this time. They hope to secure the delay of construction until such time as a vote on the renewal proposition can be had. This course of action was decided on at a meeting of the newly organized Association of Commerce, held Monday night, at the Bossier City Town Hall.”

“A committee of ten, named at the time by Homer T. Cox, president of the association, headed by J. M. Emmons, called on the Mayor, Tom Hickman, and succeeded in getting him to summon the Town Council into a special session, at which meeting the use of the Bossier Jail was extended to the parish, with the stipulation that the parish defray cost of food and medical attention for its prisoners.”

Mayor Thomas Hickman; Stella Stokes collection, 1997.042.055

“At present it looks as though the jury will continue with its plans to erect a new jail in Benton. Members have pointed out that no vote on the removal proposition can be had until after a special act of the Legislature has been passed and the Police Jury has called for such a vote. Meanwhile the citizens of Bossier City plan to push for a vote on the matter, with the provision that the parish seat be moved, if and when a new court house becomes necessary.”

Even in 1936 the question of the location of the parish seat of Bossier was still an issue. It was not until 1969 that Bossier Citizens voted to build a new court house. Find out more about all the court houses that Bossier has had by visiting the Bossier Parish Libraries History Center.

By: Ann Middleton

Second Saturday Screening

Sign-up now for our next R & R with History!

This "Read and React with History" 5-week series will examine the total war for human rights that Americans waged in WWII. Through both American perspectives and those of its principle Opponents, readers will examine the nature of the Second World War. Discussions will be led by Louisiana Tech University Professor Emeritus of History, Dr. Stephen Webre.

"FORMAL OPENING OF PLAIN DEALING BAPTIST CHURCH"

The January 10, 1957 issue of the Bossier Banner-Progress announced the opening of Plain Dealing Baptist Church.

“On Sunday, January 20, 1957, the membership of the Plain Dealing Baptist Church will conduct services commemorating the formal opening of a new building.”

“The completion of this building makes this church have one of the finest and most complete church plants of any church of its size in the Southern Baptist Convention. It was planned by the Department of Church Architecture of the Southern Baptist Convention and Mr. J. Cheshire Peyton of Shreveport. It has been designed as the ideal for the teaching program of the Baptist Church.”

“The building, containing 20,245 square feet of usable floor space, features the most modern of design, construction and equipment. One of the many unique features of the building is the ease with which an entire area can be converted into separate rooms or small auditoriums for small meetings.”

“The spire and tower, rising 97 feet, is designed for the installation of a carillon chime system I the near future.”

“The old building has been completely re-decorated, bringing the value of the church plant to well over $200,000.00.”

“The public is invited to attend the services of January 20 at 11 a.m. and to inspect the building at an open house from 2 to 4:30 p.m. on the afternoon of this day.”

“The pastor, Rev. W.L. Blackwell, and the entire membership extend a most cordial invitation to everyone to attend these services.”

To see photos and learn about the histories of the old churches of Bossier Parish, visit the Bossier Parish Libraries History Center.”

Plain Dealing Baptist Church Groundbreaking Ceremony. (Left to right) Dell Southerland, D.W. McCance, Howard L. King, Fred Heifner, Rev. W.L. Blackwell, Henderson Winham, E.D. Barnett, Johnnie B. Walker, Curt Winn, Cliff Lowe (back center). Clarice Dodson Barnett Collection: 2000.032.009A.

Plain Dealing Baptist Church Groundbreaking Ceremony with Rev. W.L. Blackwell holding artist rendering of new building. Clarice Dodson Barnett Collection: 2000.032.009B.

By: Ann Middleton

"NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN BENTON, 1934"

Two issues of The Bossier Banner in January of 1934 told of new developments happening or about to happen in Benton.

In the January 18, 1934 issue an article appeared stating that “Time is opportune for Benton to Make Effort to Gain Landing Field.”

“It is now indicated that the time is opportune for the people of Benton to reach out and secure for the town an emergency landing field.  At least, so believes a local authority  now connected with the parish CWA [Civil Works Administration] office, Bossier City, who urges that our people should awaken to the existing opportunity and who has this week handed in the following contribution:”

“Harry J. Hopkins, Federal Civil Works Administrator, and Harry J. Early, Civil Works Administrator for Louisiana, are both much interested in establishing an emergency landing field in each parish seat in the state, it is authoritatively stated.  Already they have made some special arrangements by which most of the parish seats may obtain an airport.”

“In a communication addressed to W.W. Williams, Parish Civil Works Administrator, last week Mr. Farley pointed out the many advantages Benton would have by obtaining one of these fields.  The matter was taken up with Mr. D.E. Burchett, the Parish Engineer.”

“The people of Benton should awaken to this opportunity and make all arrangements for this airport soon.  If it is wanted.  Engineers located at the aviation department of the Civil Works Administration at Shreveport are available for any advice needed.”

The CWA ended on March 31, 1934, after spending $200 million a month and giving jobs to four million people.  This could likely be the cause that an airport for Benton never came to fruition.

The following week’s issue of the paper related the story of a new saw mill plant near Benton.

Image of a mill shed and rough-cut timber at Billy Davidson's saw mill in Plain Dealing in 1948. (Note: this is not the saw mill written about in this article.) Billy Davidson Collection: 1999.090.022.

“Mr. J.A. Leindecker, Jr., who owns and operates a saw mill plant in Shreveport, is also setting up a small plant on the outskirts of Benton, the capacity of which is not known to the reporter.  The location of this plant is to be on an 18-acre tract just to the west of Benton, which Mr. Leindecker has just purchased from Mr. T.J. Taylor, a resident of our town.  A planer is not to be put in here, the reporter was told.  The owner will turn out only rough lumber at the Benton plant, some of it to be trucked to Shreveport and surfaced.”

“Work on the mill shed was begun the latter part of last week.  It is expected all sheds can be completed and the plant set up and under operation within thirty or forty days.  Some twenty or thirty men will be on the payroll the reporter was told.”

To find out more about what was going on in Bossier Parish towns in the past, visit the Bossier Parish Libraries History Center.

By: Ann Middleton

Pages Past: An American History Book Club

Join Pages Past, an American History book club! If you enjoy learning about the people and events that shaped our nation, this is the book club for you. No need to be an expert historian - we are an informal & entertaining group. Refreshments provided.

Copies of the monthly book selection are available for check-out at the Bossier Parish Libraries History Center.

We meet on the first Thursday of every month from 6-7 PM at the Bossier Parish Libraries History Center, 2206 Beckett St., Bossier City.

For February, we are reading Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly. Pick up a copy today!

This Month In Bossier Parish History

January: Through the years!

Jan. 1, 2019:  Happy New Year!  Businesses from around Bossier Parish wishing the community a Happy New Year!

First State Bank and Trust Co.
Bossier Banner: Jan. 2, 1964

First State Bank and Trust Co.
Palmetto Ave. Plain Dealing Louisiana

Louisiana Cafe

1997.062.319    Bryce Turnley Collection    

First State Bank  and Trust Co. in Plain Dealing Louisiana. Mr. Doles , illegible name, and Mary Helen

1999.143.009      Kay Crochet Collection

1997.062.190    Bryce Turnley collection

S&S Grocery 

Bossier Banner: 
Jan.2, 1964

East Cotton Belt street (north of Palmetto Street) in Plain Dealing.  View of the fronts of stores on E. Cotton Belt Street. Walker Bros (on far right), S & S Grocery, Bill's Dollar Store. 

Walker Bothers Drug
Bossier Banner: Jan.2, 1964 

Building Walker Bros. Drug store in Plain Dealing, La. 1914

Corner of East Palmetto Ave. and North Cotton Belt St.

1997.062.008     Bryce Turnley Collection

Walker Bro. Drug Plain Dealing, Louisiana

1997.062.323  Bryce Turnley Collection

Jan.11, 1973: Snow storm hits Bossier Parish!

Bossier Banner: Jan.11, 1973

 1910’s Plain Dealing street:Building on the left is the Plain Dealing Co-operating Farmers Union Warehouse. On the right is the Masonic Lodge. Looking west on Mary Lee Street (Hwy 2)

Building on right - Masonic Lodge (Masons met on top floor)First floor: R.H. Allen, Justice of Peace - Plain Dealing Telephone business office, J.M. Madden - tax assessor - J. T. Manry print shop. 1997.062.049  Bryce Turnley Collection

                                     

"Benton Esso Service, Scarboro's, Cypress Lodge Hall #89.  Dated 1-17-40"     Snow on the ground.

0000.001.023  Bossier Parish Library Collection

1900-1910’s unknown location
0000.004.026 Scanland Collection

1900-1910’s Bennett Johnston 0000.004.061 Scanland Collection

Aerial photo of Plain Dealing, taken in the 1940s. Unusual appearance of these photos caused by them being taken during a snow storm. shows the depot and railroad yard, Lynch Street with stores, the Methodist Church, and in the far left, the school.

1997.062.181     Bryce Turnley Collection 

Jan.14, 1915: Traffic Street Bridge (a.k.a. Red River Bridge)was completed and opened to the public on Jan. 12, 1915 Red River Bridge, also known as the Traffic Street Bridge.The bridge, built as a joint effort  by the city of Shreveport and the Bossier Parish Police Jury, was torn down in the 1960s after Interstate 20 through Shreveport and Bossier was completed.  It was constructed with a "turn gate" to allow boats on the Red River to pass.

0000.001.051    Bossier Library Collection        

Pictured here is the dedication of the old Traffic Street Bridge across Red River, January 15, 1915 (Bridge opened to traffic January 8, 1915 (Bossier Banner, January 14, 1915, 3b). The Bridge was built as a joint effort by the City of Shreveport and the Bossier Parish Police Jury at a cost of $350,000. It was the first bridge across the Red River built exclusively for vehicular traffic - thus its name.  The bridge connected Lake Street on the Shreveport side to Barksdale Boulevard on the Bossier City side. The bridge was a toll bridge, with a charge for five cents for pedestrians and 25 cents for automobiles and horse-drawn buggies. Confederate veterans were exempted from the toll. Streetcar lines were installed in the 1920s and tolls ended. The bridge was torn down 30 Jul 1968 after the completion of Interstate 20 through Shreveport and Bossier. Left to right are the following, listed by number from the left: 1. J.G. McDade, Bossier Parish Police Jury; 2. Robert Whittington, Bossier Parish Police Jury; 3. Nat Stewart, Bossier Parish Police Jury; 6. J.T. McDade, president of Bossier Parish Police Jury; 7. J.C. Logan; 11. Claude Rives, Shreveport accountant and ex-councilman; 12. Mr. Ward; 15. Samuel Augustus Dickson - Shreveport mayor (light coat); 16. Lewell C. Butler, Shreveport City Council; 17 George Thurber, Shreveport City Council; and 18 George Wilson, Shreveport City Council. The rest are unknown.

Jan.19, 1961: Hundreds attended the dedication for the Shed Road Marker.  

2006.034.035 Neil Young collection

The Times: Apr 23, 1967

 Bossier Banner: Jan.19, 1961

From 1870’s to 1880’s,  Bossier Parish had the only known roof-covered dirt-floored roadway in America. It ran from the Red Chute hills to north of Bossier City, about 9 miles. In 1961, this maker was dedicated to commemorate that road and its contribution to the area. Boyd Montgomery and Volney Voss Whittington perform the ceremony. Boyed represented the Bossier Parish Police Jury and V.V. Whittington was a state representative from Bossier Parish.

Jan.25, 1973: The Race Track's name changed from Swayer Downs to Louisiana Downs. 

Bossier Banner: Jan.25, 1973

1975 Grand Stand of Louisiana Downs.

1998.047.220        

Bossier Chamber Of Commerce Collection

                                   


               

"ROADSIDE PARK OPENED AT RED LAND BY 137 VISITORS"

Plain Dealing Library Collection: 1997.064.014

The August 19, 1954 issue of Bossier City Planters Press related the opening of a roadside park in Red Land.

“In Northern Bossier Parish in a shaded glen near the Plain Dealing—Springhill highway is a lovely roadside park.  This park is the realization of a dream by the ladies of the Red Land Home Demonstration Club who say a need for this type of recreation facility and set about to build it.”

“Husbands were enlisted (as husbands usually are on projects of this nature) and an undeveloped site was transformed into an inviting oasis for relaxation, laughter and fellowship.  The husbands were rewarded for their labors by being made honorary members of the Home Demonstration Club and by obtaining use of the park for activities.”

“Before the barbecue pits could be built bricks and other material had to be purchased.  The club held a successful apron sale and dedicated the proceeds to construction of two barbecue pits.”

“The day the club met to build the sun beamed down with a fury that sent the mercury up to 106 degrees.  Undaunted by the record heat these determined souls found shaded spots and started building.”

“Land for the park was leased from G.W. Roberson.”

“The opening of the park was held July 13^th.  For this gala occasion the members baked pies which were auctioned off by the famous auctioneer, Bruce Cartwright.  They then prepared a lovely salad plate which was sold to 137 visitors.”

“They had previously arranged lights and had the meter installed.  Mr. Shay Sawyer came with his loud speaker and furnished music between short talks, announcements, comments of appreciation to Mr. Roberson for the land and the singing of old favorites led by F.G. Phillips.”

“A metal barrel has been provided for the rubbish.  Everyone is invited to use the park and enjoy keeping it clean.”

“The 137 visitors, according to Mrs. Alfred Farrington, President of the Club, contributed $163.00 for the purpose of adding other conveniences.”

G. W. Roberson frequently sold property to oil companies.  It is likely that the property where the Red Land Park was located was ultimately sold to an oil company.

By: Ann Middleton