In the late 1940s, as the Town of Bossier City grew in population – it would officially become a city in 1951 due to this growth – Bossier civic leaders felt there was a need for an organization to help promote the town. If it was to continue prospering, Bossier needed a new advocate. Enter the Bossier Chamber of Commerce.
Calls for the formation of the chamber began in earnest in April 1947. Local realtor and civic leader Arthur Ray Teague spoke before representatives from clubs such as the Lions, Optimists, Kiwanis, Home Demonstration and others, making the case. An article in The Shreveport Journal of April 30, 1947, states, “Teague pointed out that … a town the size of Bossier not only needed a chamber of commerce, but had reached the stage of wanting it also.” According to the article, his proposal was met with “a great deal of enthusiasm.”
Meetings were held to further the cause and a membership drive was started. Advice came from the Shreveport and Vivian Chambers of Commerce. The Planters Press newspaper published an editorial on June 12 stating that the paper was “one hundred percent plus for the local chamber of commerce proposal,” and praised efforts to make it happen. “The spirit with which essential preliminary work is being done is indicative of the community’s praiseworthy ambition to grow larger, to prosper more and to build soundly for the future general progress of Bossier City and surrounding territory,” the editorial says.
The goal of the membership drive was to raise $12,000 to fund chamber operations. According to The Shreveport Times of June 18, 1947, the first week of the membership drive saw approximately 50 individuals and businesses join, raising just over $2,000. Although The Planters Press states the number of members increased to 180 by about mid-August, the amount raised totaled only $8,000, but that was enough to move forward with electing a board of directors, choosing officers and finding a chamber manager.
Former Shreveport resident Larry Maihles was selected to lead the chamber as its first manager. His previous experience included stints with the Shreveport and Haynesville Chambers of Commerce, followed by service in the Pacific during World War II, and then as assistant manager of the chamber in San Diego, California. He resigned the position on the west coast for the move to Bossier. Headquarters for his new job was on the second floor of the Bossier Bank and Trust company building. And there was little time for relaxing.
Within just a few weeks of Maihles’ hiring, the chamber established a program called “Build a Better Bossier” that led to many new initiatives benefitting the area. Chamber members submitted suggestions to help with the program, generating 23 projects that dealt with everything from legislation and taxation to fire prevention. The Planters Press has a complete listing of the projects in its December 11, 1947 issue. A chamber-sponsored radio show was also created, airing once each week on station KRMD. Sam Peters Jr., chairman of the chamber’s publicity and advertising committee, was quoted in a November 6 Planters Press article as saying that the show was meant “to keep the people informed on chamber of commerce projects and activities and developments in Bossier City and Bossier Parish.”
From these auspicious beginnings, the Bossier Chamber of Commerce grew and has for 78 years continued to help build a better Bossier. The importance of that record of service isn’t lost on current chamber President and CEO Lisa Johnson, who has been with the organization since 2004. “As we look back through our history, it is critically important to understand where we came from and how key initiatives began,” she said. “I am honored to learn from the legacy of those who came before us and to carry their vision forward. The Bossier Chamber has long been a catalyst in shaping Bossier Parish and its municipalities, and today, we continue that work with purpose and pride.”
If you have any photos, documents or other information relating to the history of Bossier City or Bossier Parish, the History Center may be interested in adding the materials to its research collection by donation or by scanning them and returning the originals. Call or visit us to learn more. We are open Monday through Friday 9-6. Our phone number is (318) 746-7717 and our email is history-center@bossierlibrary.org. We can also be found online at https://www.facebook.com/BPLHistoryCenter/
Images:
- Arthur Ray Teague/History Center collection
- Chamber advertisement/The Planters Press, Jan 27, 1949
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