A Celebration: The Birth of a City and Its First Flag

Did you know, following New Orleans and Shreveport, Bossier City was the third municipality in Louisiana to have an official flag?

By the middle of the 20th century, census figures revealed that Bossier City was the fastest-growing municipality in the state. On August 9, 1951, Louisiana Governor Earl K. Long issued a proclamation changing the municipality of Bossier City from a town to a city. “By this proclamation, ‘A City Was Born,’” headlined in the papers and plans were set in motion for a celebration.

Proclamation making Bossier City a city

Hoffman L. Fuller
Bossier City's sixth mayor

In planning for the celebration, Mayor Hoffman L. Fuller appointed Bossier civic leader, Arthur Ray Teague, to head a committee to conduct a design contest for the first official Bossier City flag. Another contest sponsored by the Bossier Chamber of Commerce and the Planters Press was for a slogan for the newly formed city.

Initially, the celebration was scheduled for the end of September, but Mayor Fuller announced that the ceremony was postponed, “until the polio situation clears up and the parish schools open.” Before long, it was announced that the celebration would take place on October 16 at the Bossier High School Memorial Stadium dedicated in 1948 to the memory of the local high school students that lost their lives in World War II.

The celebration started with a parade at Fort Smith park and moved through the stadium. Chief of Police Burgess McCranie and State Trooper Capt. H. H. Hollenshead led the parade on horseback. Each parade float reflected one of the chief industries which aided in the growth of Bossier City; cotton, oil, agriculture, and Barksdale Air Force Base (a significant factor in the growth of Bossier City). The parade also included a marching contingent from Barksdale Air Force Base along with Bossier City’s police and fire departments, honor guards, and the bands of Bossier High, Byrd, Fair Park, and BAFB.

There was a pageant of Bossier City written by Ira Harbuck and Kenneth Green, a short history given by Arthur Ray Teague, and Mayor Fuller read the proclamation. Bossier City’s first mayor, Ewald Max Hoyer and Ellen Lowe Sims, a pioneer resident having lived in Bossier City the longest, were both honored in the ceremony.

Bossier City Chamber of Commerce manager Bob Conwell awarded the slogan contest winner, Irene Vinson, for “Next Door Neighbor to World’s Largest Air Base,” a $15 cash prize. Arthur Ray Teague, master of ceremonies, awarded the flag contest winner, Velma Hagert, with a $10 cash prize, who then presented the flag to Mayor Fuller.

Velma Hagert is holding her entry of the flag of Bossier City
and Miss Hall, A. R. Teague's secretary holds the entry of
runner-up W. E. McFarland.

The winning design consisted of a gold star in the middle of a green flag with a magnolia blossom centered in the star and circled with the words “Bossier City, Louisiana.” According to the rules of the contest, changes to the selected entry were allowed. Only two changes were made one replacing the magnolia bloom with a cotton boll and the other changing the star to a circle. Robert H. Rogers of Shreveport made the flag out of rayon with gold braid lining.

The Official Flag of Bossier City.
(L to R) Clyde Nelson, Jr., C. L. Madden, Jr., and acting
Mayor John Ford (Times Photo by Langston McEachern).

The flag was donated by the Louisiana Municipal Association and the Bossier Tribune, and the flagpole was donated by Arthur Ray and Albert Hugh Teague. The flagpole was dedicated in memory of their brother Lt. Edward Teague who was a graduate of Bossier City High School and a veteran of WWII. Lt. Teague was a flight instructor in the Air Force at Goose Bay, Labrador, where he died in an airplane crash on March 13, 1947.

The flag was raised in the stadium in memory of the deceased high school students that died in WWII: James O. Avery, Luther Bedingfield, William Bedingfield, James Francis Brown, Jr., Robert Edwards, Alfred D. Bond, Harold M. Valentine, Burton McCallum, Jake Maniscalco, Jr., Francis Peters, Jr., Edward Teague, and Sedric White.

This flag remained as the official emblem of Bossier City until 1986 when, through another contest, a new flag design was selected, which has not changed since.

To learn more about the history of Bossier City, visit the Bossier Parish Libraries History Center at 2206 Beckett Street, Bossier City.

By: Amy Robertson

Fire Destroys Plain Dealing High School

February 16, 1963 - Firefighters working to
extinguish the fire at Plain Dealing High School.
Beulah Findley Collection: 1997.054.058.059-2

February 16, 1963 - Plain Dealing High School fire.
Beulah Findley Collection: 1997.054.058.059

 In its 75th year, on February 16, 1963, Plain Dealing High School was destroyed by fire as a result of faulty wiring. The two-story brick building was built in 1928; opening its doors on September 17 to grades 8-11. The building was declared a total loss at an estimated $120,000, which was mostly covered by insurance.

The Plain Dealing fire department was alarmed at 12:40 pm when the fire was spotted burning on the second floor in the middle of the building. The fire spread quickly across the second floor and by 2:15 pm the roof collapsed. It was 4:00 pm before the firemen gained control, but not before the fire caved in part of the second floor and began to consume the first floor.

Altogether about 50 firemen battled the blazing fire as the Plain Dealing firefighters received assistance from firefighters from Bossier City, Springhill, and Benton. The acting Bossier City assistant fire chief, Bobby Roy, stated, “The building wouldn’t have burned up if there had been an adequate water supply. We could have stopped the fire a lot sooner if we had the water.”

Though the fire did not damage some of the classrooms on both sides of the first floor, they did suffer extensive water damage. Fortunately, the school’s records survived; however, they were the only thing saved. The building housed 13 classrooms including a science lab, home economics, a library, and the principal’s office.

According to the Bossier Parish Superintendent, Emmet Cope, “the big handicap will be the loss of the science and home economics departments. We will set up another science department as quickly as possible.” When asked about what the students will do about schoolbooks Cope replied, “We hope a lot of the kids have them at home.”

Nearly 200 students in grades 8-12 were displaced, sending the administration into high gear to set-up temporary classrooms. The students were given a couple of days off while administrators prepared make-shift classrooms in the auditorium, gymnasium, and in empty classrooms in the elementary and junior high school buildings.

Before the fire, voters approved a bond to renovate the old building; instead, these funds allowed the school’s reconstruction. The Bossier Parish School Board approved a $350,00 contract to rebuild the school which opened in time for the 1964-1965 school year.

1964 - The new Plain Dealing High School.
Thomas R. Merideth, architect and McInnis Bros., contractor.
Linda Matlock Collection: 2004.017.013 (1965 Au Roarer)

Bossier City architect, Thomas Merideth, designed the new Plain Dealing High School and McInnis
Bros constructed it. It was designed to provide improved lighting, more drinking fountains, more locker space, as well as airconditioned offices and library.

September 13, 1964 - Raising of the flag at the official opening
ceremony for the new Plain Dealing High School .
Linda Matlock Collection: 2004.017.013 (1965 Au Roarer)

The new Plain Dealing High School opened on August 31, 1964, and the cornerstone laying ceremony took place on September 13 during the open house and reception held from 3 to 5 pm. Friends, former students, and teachers for the past 75 years were honored guests at the formal opening of the school. The ceremony included a brief history of the school, refreshments, and an open house tour of the new school building.

September 13, 1964 - Pledge of allegiance during dedication ceremony of the new Plain
Dealing High School. Linda Matlock Collection: 2004.017.013 (1965 Au Roarer)

September 13, 1964 - Visitors at the official opening ceremony for the new Plain Dealing High School.
Linda Matlock Collection: 2004.017.013 (1965 Au Roarer)

To learn more about the history of schools in Bossier Parish, visit the Bossier Parish Libraries History Center at 2206 Beckett Street, Bossier City.

September 13, 1964 - Mayor Leon Sanders sharing the history of Plain Dealing High School during the dedication ceremony. Linda Matlock Collection: 2004.017.013 (1965 Au Roarer)

September 13, 1964 - Plain Dealing High School opening ceremony program participants: B. H. Hearn, Principal; S. M. Wise, School Board.; Mayor Leon Sanders; James Roberson, School Board.; Emmet Cope, Superintendent.; Dr. W. E. B. Lockridge, Reverend Bob Lawton. Linda Matlock Collection: 2004.017.013 (1965 Au Roarer)

September 13, 1964 - Plain Dealing High School Principal B. H. Hearn and Bossier Parish Schools Superintendent Emmet Cope at cornerstone laying ceremony. Linda Matlock Collection: 2004.017.013 (1965 Au Roarer).

By: Amy Robertson

Bossier City Boys Go Pro

Did you know, Louisiana produces more NFL football players per capita than any other state? With football season upon us, there is no better time to write about two of our Bossier City boys that went pro. These boys developed their outstanding athletic skills while growing up here in Bossier. They both excelled in their sport throughout high school where their hard work and exceptional playing stats led them to successful college football careers. It was no surprise when professional football organizations drafted them.

Wayne Walker Bossier High School 1962

Wayne Walker was a kicking specialist for the Bossier City Bearkats. In The Times, October 12, 1960, he was reported as being ranked as “the city’s punting leader with 17 for 676 yards and a whopping 39.8 average.” During his senior year, in November of 1961, it was reported that he was averaging 40.5 yards on 21 kicks. In 1962 Wayne Walker graduated from Bossier City High School
and was picked up by the Northwestern State College (NSC) Demons in Natchitoches, La.

During Wayne’s sophomore year at NSC, he was “rapidly becoming Northwestern’s most valuable player.” By the end of his sophomore year, he was averaging 39.7 yards and was the leading punter of the 1963 Gulf State Conference. In the 1964 season, he was NSU’s leading scorer. He finished his college career with a 42.6-yard average on 48 punts and scoring 39 points with 21 conversions and six field goals. “He also kicked a 46-yard field goal – the longest ever by a Demon.” The National Collegiate Athletic Association ranked Wayne as 17th in the nation in punting and 11th in the country on kicking scores.

Wayne Walker at Northwestern State College 1963

In 1966 Wayne was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs of the AFL in the 13th round. He played for the Chiefs through 1967, and in 1968 the Houston Oilers picked him up where he led them in scoring that year. In 1970 Wayne had the honor of signing with the Saints; unfortunately, he was released during the preseason. Stats on Wayne Walker also show him playing for the Texarkana Titans of the TFL in 1970.

Randy Walker scores for the Bearkats 1969

Another former Bearkat that made it into professional football is Wayne’s younger brother Randy “the toe” Walker. Randy graduated from Bossier High School in 1969 and he also went on to play for Northwestern State University. Over three years, he averaged 41.9 yards per punt, breaking all of NSU’s records, many of which were set by his brother Wayne. He booted several game-winning field goals during 1972 and 1973. “His longest punt was 68 yards. As a placekicker, he had his best season in 1972 when he scored 53 points. He booted 13 of 19 field goals and 14 of 17 points after touchdowns. His accuracy inside the 40 was uncanny, and he also had a 41 and 43 yarder to his credit.” He won the honors of the Gulf State Conference and All-Louisiana.

Randy Walker 1974 Green Bay Packers

He was drafted in the twelfth round of the 1974 NFL draft as a kicker and punter for the Green Bay Packers. After making the cuts, he became the #1 punter who kicked 69 times with a 38.4 punting average for the Packers. Randy’s punting had the Packers in second place in the NFC through 11 games for the season in average return. Unfortunately, at the start of the 1975 season, he was cut from the team after being placed on the injured list with a sprained ankle. In 1976 he was picked up by the newly formed Tamp Bay Buccaneers and received a substantial pay raise.

The Walker brothers were both named as “Top 100 Players in Demon Football History” as part of the university’s football centennial celebration in 2007.

Visit the Bossier Parish Library at 2206 Beckett St., Bossier City, to learn more about the other homegrown athletes from Bossier Parish.

By: Amy Robertson

Airline High School

Airline High School crest printing block. Bossier Press-Tribune Collection: 2012.006.004.

In 1962 the Bossier Parish School Board (BPSB) approved the purchase of 65-acres from Harlan Beene for $85,000. During the time when segregation was law, this land would be home to Bossier City’s second all-white high school. They hired Thomas R. Merideth to draw-up the preliminary plans. A few months later the BPSB agreed to purchase an additional 9.46 acres from Mr. Beene to allow room for a stadium for the high school and for a new elementary school, in the near future. 

In June of that year, the Metropolitan Planning Commission approved the location selected for the new schools. With the necessary approvals, the BPSB officially appointed Thomas R. Merideth as the architect for the new high school. Thomas R. Merideth was a Bossier City architect who designed all the schools in the parish for many years. The Bossier Parish Police Jury (BPPJ) agreed to cut a 1-mile blacktop road to connect Airline Drive with Benton Road. In November of 1964, the BPPJ approved the resolution to name the new road Viking Drive. 

On October 3, 1963, the BPSB voted to name the new school Airline High School. “The name ‘Airline’ was selected because of the school’s proximity to Barksdale Air Rorce [sic] Base as well as its location on Airline Drive.” The school was built on a budget of $2.5 million and paid for by selling bonds in District 13 amounting to $1.5 million, based on an increase in property taxes from 14 mills to 20 mills approved by taxpayers in a 1962 vote. One month later the BPSB accepted the low bid of Howard, Weil, Labouisse, Friedrichs, and Co. of $1.5 million for the bonds. 

Before the school opened, new school district lines were required; dividing, for the first time, the Bossier City high school students. Also, the BPSB approved lengthening the school day by 45 minutes, going from a 45-minute homeroom session and five class sessions to a 30-minute homeroom session and six class sessions. The football team played their first intrasquad game, with the Whites beating the Blues 20-12. And, 28 students were selected by fellow incoming students to serve as the student council. Airline’s first student council held a vote selecting ‘Vikings’ as the nickname and the school colors of Columbia and Navy Blue.  

Airline High School opened to grades 9-12 at the start of the 1964-1965 school year with Robert D. (Bob) Horneman as principal. According to an article in The Times on October 11, 1964, Airline High School is described as “a sprawling complex of nearly-completed ultra-modern units on a site that is still dotted with cotton plants. Airline, which has an enrollment of 781 at present and a capacity of 1,500 pupils, opened its doors last month while construction work was still in progress on part of the facilities. Work continues on the boys’ and girls’ gyms, and the auditorium. The entire plant is expected to be completed by the end of this school year. On a 74-acre site on Airline Drive, the school has 195, 000 feet of floor space and cost $2.3 million. Capacity enrollment is expected by 1966.”  

Aerial photo of Airline High School. Bossier Chamber of Commerce Collection: 1998.047.180a.

Airline High School also boasted a home economics department with “ultra-modern” appliances and an Early American living room.  A commercial department equipped with L-shaped typewriting desks and electric typewriters.  An outdoor book-drop for the secure return of library books even after hours. And a modern island-type science laboratory to allow four students to work on one experiment. Plus, a 1290-capacity auditorium, a baseball stadium, tennis courts, an all-weather track, and various practice fields. In 1969 a 10,000-seat football stadium was added to the campus at the cost of $650,000. 

Valhalla 1965, Airline High School's first yearbook.
Donated by Paul Haynie Collection: 1999.116.025.

On Thursday, May 27, 1965, at 8 pm Airline High School held its first commencement exercise for a class of 101 seniors.    

To learn more about the history of Bossier Parish Schools’, visit the Bossier Parish Libraries (BPL) History Center. We are looking for Airline High School yearbook donations. If you have these years: 1970, 1971, 1979, and 2016, please consider donating them to the BPL History Center. If you’d like to donate your yearbooks, please drop by or call us at 318-746-7717. 

By: Amy Robertson