Barksdale's Little League

Source: The Observer, Aug. 23, 1957

Often referred to as America's national pastime, baseball has been enjoyed in America by player's, and spectator's alike since the game was modernized in the 1840s. In the 1920s, the American Legion formed a baseball program for teenage boys, and schools started baseball programs. But opportunities to play baseball were virtually non-existent for pre-teens until Carl Stotz of Williamsport, PA, founded Little League Baseball.

It all began in 1938 when Stotz was watching a bunch of kids trying to play baseball on a regulation diamond, with inadequate equipment and without the benefit of coaching and organization. He had the idea to organize a league for the youngsters, but first, he had to work out the details. So, Stotz gathered several neighborhood children and experimented with different equipment and field dimensions during that summer. He enlisted help from members of the community, and the first game was played in 1939.

Little League is a scaled-down version of organized baseball to fit youngsters between the ages of eight and twelve. The playing field is two-thirds the size of the regulation diamond, with bases 60-feet apart, and pitchers stand 40 feet and 4 inches from the home plate. The games are limited to six innings compared to nine innings in the Minor and Major Leagues. The bats and balls are the exact sizes as those used in the Major Leagues but lighter. In the interest of safety, steel cleats were banned from the league, causing sporting goods manufacturers to make special rubber sole shoes for kids.

In the beginning, they had the National Little League Tournament, now known as the Little League World Series. Its popularity snowballed, and by 1950 at least 37 states were competing for national honors in the Little League. The Little League World Series had played to capacity crowds for the previous two seasons.

Source: The Observer, Jan. 11, 1957

It's unclear to this writer exactly when Bossier Parish formed its first Little League team(s). But, in 1957, Barksdale received the first Little League franchise in Louisiana from the National Little League headquarters in Williamsport, PA., to play that year. "The franchise was presented to Col. Ralph J. White, base commander, by Master Sgt. James Lovejoy, 1956 president of the base Little Leagues. The colonel was deputizing for Col. Robert H. Borders, newly elected president for 1957 who was unable to receive the franchise in person because of TDY commitments."

Tech. Sgt. Rufus Bohannon was named vice-president of the league that year. The previous year he and Master Sgt. Delmar Cook coached the championship 3rd Triple S Wildcats to their second straight base title. That year nearly 167 boys signed up for Little League baseball, with an even greater number expected for the coming season. Five teams made up the league, and they were eligible for the state, district, regional, and World Series playoffs.

This week is National Little League week, and eighty years ago today, the first Little League game was played. Since then, Little League Baseball has become the world's largest organized youth sports program. It has grown from three teams to nearly 200,000 teams in all 50 U.S. States and more than 80 countries. In 1974 Little League Softball was created. The primary goal was to give the children a game that provides fundamental principles teaching sportsmanship, fair play, and teamwork. Valuable lessons that can be carried out throughout one's lifetime.

To learn more about sports in Bossier Parish, visit the Bossier Parish Libraries History Center at 2206 Beckett Street, Bossier City. Be sure to follow us @BPLHistoryCenter on FB and check out our blog, http://bpl-hc.blogspot.com/. We are excited to announce that we are now on Tiktok; follow us @bplhistorycenter.

By: Amy Robertson

Barksdale: From Field to Air Force Base

Construction of Barksdale Field. Philip & Vickie Hardin Collection; 2011.053.001-45.

In 1931, construction began on the world's largest airfield (over 22,000 acres), Barksdale Field. In the fall of 1932, the 20th Pursuit Group arrived from Mather Field as Barksdale Field's first combat organization. The formal dedication ceremony for Barksdale Field was Feb. 2, 1933. Just before its fifteenth anniversary in 1948, it was announced that Barksdale Field would be operating under a new name.

Bossier Parish Library History Center Collection; 2001.007.171.

The following announcement appeared in the Jan 29th issue of The Planters Press, "As announced officially, the permanent military base adjoining Bossier now is officially 'Barksdale Air Force Base' its name having been changed from 'Barksdale Field,' which it bore for years, since 1932, to be exact, until January 22, 1948.

"The change is in accord with a general order from Washington, redesignating all of the U.S. air force air fields to U. S. air force bases, according to notice from First Lieut. John W. Hassard, public information officer, Barksdale Air Force Base, received by The Planters Press.

"The base is now the headquarters of the air training command, and the location of air force advanced multi-engine and instrument flying schools.

"The air force is no longer known as 'Army Air Force' but 'United States Air Force.'

"In order to be accurate, the readers of The Planters Press are urged from now on to refer to the base in Bossier, one of the largest on earth, as 'Barksdale Air Force Base.'"

Bossier Parish Library History Center Collection; VF2019.023-11.

The general order mentioned in the article was the National Security Act, Sept. 18, 1947, which established the United States Air Force as an independent branch of the United States military. Since 1941, it had been known as the U.S. Army Air Forces, and from 1926-1941 it was the U.S. Army Air Corps. The first major U.S. aviation combat force was created during WWI, known as the Air Service, U.S. Army from 1918-1926.

Barksdale Air Force Base is 87 years old and has a long record of outstanding service to its credit. After the second world war, Barksdale became a peacetime training center, becoming home to the Air Training Command. After the name was changed, it became the first Air Force all-jet strategic reconnaissance/bomber aircraft, the North American RB-45 Tornado, and the 2nd Air Force headquarters, bringing Barksdale into the Strategic Air Command.

More recently, Barksdale was called upon by the National Command Authority to spearhead the global war on terrorism shortly after the terrorist attacks on America on Sept. 11, 2001. To this day, Barksdale's men and women continue to serve both at home and abroad to support the global war on terrorism. Since Barksdale's beginning, it has contributed vital human resources and facilities to our nation's military.

As the nation celebrates the United States Air Force's 73rd birthday this Friday, this writer would like to recognize Barksdale Air Force Base for 87 years of defending liberty. Thank you to all the men and women of yesterday, today, and tomorrow for your sacrifice and dedication in defending our freedom.

To learn more about Barksdale Air Force Base, visit the Bossier Parish Library History Center, 2206 Beckett Street, Bossier City. We have many photographs of and relating to Barksdale Air Force Base in our collection, including aerial photos, aircraft, architecture, celebrations, and the original postcard collection of Barksdale Field.

These images and more can also be accessed online by visiting the Bossier Parish Library History Center Collection online database at https://bossier.pastperfectonline.com/. Select keyword search, then type in "Barksdale Air Force Base" (be sure to use the quotes) and enjoy.

By: Amy Robertson

Ford Makes First Presidential Visit Here

On April 2, 1976, Congressman Joe D. Waggonner of Plain Dealing announced that the United States President Gerald R. Ford accepted his invitation to visit the Shreveport-Bossier area on April 27th during the 28th annual Holiday in Dixie Festival. This visit from Ford was the first formal visit to Northwest Louisiana from any incumbent President. 

Lyndon B. Johnson, technically came to Barksdale AFB before Ford did. However, his stop was only a few minutes long as President Johnson and the First Lady, better known as Lady Bird, arrived by helicopter only to board the Presidential jet, which was being refueled at Barksdale AFB. They had just been to Texarkana for the funeral of Mrs. Wright Patman, wife of a Texas democratic congressman and then to Karnak, Tx, Lady Birds home town. For those that know of Johnson's deep disdain for Shreveport, it is no surprise that he was here for just those short few minutes and could hardly be considered a formal visit.

At the Bossier Parish Library History Center, we have the daily diary of President Gerald R. Ford for that day, in our collection, showing all the details of his very busy day, which started at 7:10 a.m. with breakfast. After many appointments and meetings, he traveled by helicopter to Andrew Air Force Base, where he boarded the "Spirit of 76" a.k.a. Air Force One and flew to Barksdale AFB, where he was greeted by Governor Edwin Edwards, along with other local and government elected officials, and an estimated crowd of well over 35,000.

President Gerald R. Ford addressing the crowd shortly after arrival to BAFB, April 27, 1976.
Source: www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov

Shortly after landing at Barksdale AFB, Ford addressed the crowd gathered for his visit, stating that he was "delighted to be here" and to participate in the Holiday in Dixie festivities that day. During his speech, he took the time to mention that Waggonner was "a very old and very dear friend," and he thanked him for his friendship. 

Ford also proclaimed that "Barksdale Air Force Base stands as a shining example of national security at its very best and as a tall, tall monument to the cooperative efforts of the citizens of this area and of the military." "As the home of the Strategic Air Command's 8th Air Force, Barksdale serves as one of the cornerstones of our defense system."

After the rally, Ford was escorted to the Barksdale Guest Quarters, where a sign, made especially for his visit, read "Welcome to the Louisiana White House" was hanging on the lawn of the guest quarters. After a short rest, the President attended two question and answer sessions. One with the press at the guest quarters and then another at Hanger 1-A auditorium, which was hosted by Bossier City Mayor James Cathey and Shreveport Mayor L. Calhoun Allen, Jr. for local elected officials from throughout Louisiana.

President Gerald R. Ford and Rep. Joe D. Waggonner
April 27, 1976, BAFB Guest House. Source: www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov

That evening Ford was honored at a VIP reception at the Ellerbe Road estate of Dalton Woods, the chairman of the Ambassadors Club, where he was made a Holiday in Dixie Ambassador and presented with an ambassador medallion. There were approximately 180 people in attendance, including the leadership of the Ambassadors' Club and local officials.After the VIP reception, the President attended a general reception on the lawn with nearly 1,000 guests.

The last stop during his visit, Ford attended the annual Holiday in Dixie Military Ball at the Shreveport Convention Hall. This ball is sponsored by the Louisiana National Guard Officers' Wives Club and is a salute to the military. Here, Ford addressed a crowd of about 1,000 people before leaving. He returned to Barksdale AFB, where he boarded the "Spirit of '76" at 9:45 p.m. for a flight to Texas to campaign ahead of the primaries.

To read Ford's daily diary for April 27, 1976, along with notes from his questions and answers events, and his speeches given that day while visiting the Shreveport Bossier area, visit the Bossier Parish Libraries History Center at 2206 Beckett Street, Bossier City, LA.

By: Amy Robertson

Remembering a Good Neighbor

Today is National Nurses Day and the start of National Nurses Week, where we raise awareness of the contributions and vital role that nurses play in society. And, the month of May is National Military Appreciation Month. In light of these observances, this writer would like to remember Shirley Jane Cox Delaney, a nurse, a veteran, and a good neighbor.

Delaney was born in Tremont, Illinois, in 1924, and after graduating high school, in 1941, she went to nursing school. When Delany graduated as a registered nurse in 1945, she worked in Gulfport, MS, at the VA. Then in 1954, she began her career in the United States Air Force as a Lieutenant and continued her training in nursing.

In 1956, Delaney was selected for the Air Flight Training School in Montgomery, AL, where she trained and worked as a flight nurse on aeromedical evacuation missions in the Pacific Theater. Air Force aeromedical evacuation crews contributed to the decreased death rates during wartime. Her tours of duty in the Air Force took her around the world and landed her at Barksdale Air Force Base in 1973, where she served as Chief of Nursing at the BAFB Hospital.

Delaney retired from the Air Force in 1976 as a Lieutenant Colonel and remained in Bossier City until she died in 2005. During her military service, she was decorated with the National Defense Service Medal, the Outstanding Unit Citation, the Air Force Commendation Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal.

As a Bossier City resident, she always looked for ways to serve others. She was awarded the Shreveport Journal’s “Good Neighbor of the Week” award, Oct. 16, 1979, based on the following nomination sent in by one of her neighbors.

“I would like to nominate Mrs. Delaney who is a retired Lt. Col. From Barksdale Air Force Base.

“She takes care of everyone’s pets, plants and mail while they are away on vacation. She even left food and soft drinks in my refrigerator so that we would have something to eat on our return home.

“She is always taking people places or doing something they need done. She came to my house and trimmed the grass around the house while my husband was out of town.

“She is also a registered nurse and she can be counted upon to help with all medical problems. Her concern is greatly appreciated by everyone.

“She never misses birthdays or Christmas. She always tries to make these days special for friends and neighbors alike.

“She is always sharing with her neighbors – fresh strawberries, peaches, tomatoes or a jar of homemade jelly.

“Although Mrs. Delaney is busy with her own life (which includes taking care of her elderly mother) she always has time for her neighbors.

“Her mother, Mrs. Cox, is also to be commended. Although she can’t get around very well, she is an excellent cook and all the neighbors have benefited from their combined talents.

“They are not only good neighbors, but great friends.”

Delaney also served as a community educator, assisted with community outreach, and she served on the state board of the Louisiana Division of the American Cancer Society. She was an active member of the Bossier Kiwanis Club, where she participated in the awards program and assisted in handing out more than 8,000 achievement awards each year to students in 13 elementary schools in Bossier City. And she was instrumental in the success of the annual Kiwanis golf tournaments.

With it being the centennial anniversary of women’s right to vote, it deserves mentioning that Delaney believed in a person’s right to vote, and she exercised her right to vote during every election. So, it will be no surprise to learn that she also worked at the voter polls for several years.

While the BPL History Center is closed during the pandemic, our staff members are still available to answer any research questions you may have. What do you want to know about Bossier Parish History? Email history-center@bossierlibrary.org or call us at 318-746-7717.

In honor of National Nurses Day and week, a special thanks go out to all of our dedicated nurses, past and present, THANK YOU!

By: Amy Robertson

1970s Spoof Fashion Show

Fifty years ago today, an article by Betty Paul Bigner, Woman’s Editor for The Shreveport Journal, covered the then-recent fashion show put on by the Barksdale Officers’ Wives’ Club. Who have been known for their fashion shows over the years, but in 1970, they decided to have some fun and put on a “Spoof Fashion Show.” 

“The object of the Spoof Fashion Show is to design, sew and model a dress, suit or outfit of newly purchased material at a cost not to exceed $6” (equal to $40.90 today). Three categories, “Most Beautiful,” “Most Original,” and “Most Humorous,” were competed for by various groups. “Judges for the show included Imy Marcus of Marcus Furniture Co.; Pat Reglin of The Barn Dinner Playhouse and this writer.” With each presentation a commentary was given on the fashion design and was accompanied by background music. 

“IN THE ‘Most Original’ category, the Medical Group carried off the honors with their entry, “Miss Pollution - 1970.” Her ensemble featured a garbage can skirt, adorned at the back with a bow made of disposable garbage bags. Her bolero top was fashioned from dented hub caps fastened with banana peel chains and her hat - the top of the garbage can - was featooned [sic] with gum and cigaret wrappers and trimmed with dixie cup scallops. Providing just the proper touch was the dead mackrel [sic] she carried on her fishing pole. Mrs. Frank G. Rohrbough served as the commentator and Mrs. Dave Trent modeled the creation. 

“The ‘Most Humorous’ costume was devised by the Second Bomb Wing, with Mrs. Marvin L. Chappell as commentor [sic] and Mrs. Michael J. Parr as model. ‘The Gal He Loves or Loved’ was presented. The model first appeared with her hair in curlers and wore a voluminous granny gown of flour sack squares, a garment which hardly hid the pounds that had gone here and there and here and there during the years. Shape up became her motto and via the popping of the balloons which contributed to her excess avoirdupois she emerged in a ruffle trimmed cloak and wide picture hat. Shaping up revealed her in a fringed two-piece mini. The inside of her cloak was lined with comely photographs of shapely dames so that she truly presented ‘The Gal or Gals He Loves.’ 

“A COSTUME suitable for Barksdale’s representative to Japan’s Expo ‘70 was judged the ‘Most Beautiful.’ The groups responsible for this lovely creation were Controller, IG, Surgeon and Judge Advocate. Mrs. C. J. Lewis provided the narration while Mrs. Lewis Long served as the model. Two shades of pink cotton were used for the Empire formal, which was designed with a Watteau train. Self fabric flowers adorned the train, front panel of the skirt and one shoulder strap. The same blossoms were used in the model’s hair. The center of the train was a deep rose cotton cut into a pagoda shape and sprinkled with rhinestones. 

“Other groups competing in the ‘Most Original’ category were Personnel, Intelligence & CE, ‘Elegant Ecology,’ commentated by Mrs. George L. Krause with Mrs. James C. Pennington as model; and Directorate of Material, ‘Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way,’ commentated by Mrs. Ned Colia with Mrs. Lawrence P. Howes as model. 

“’MOST HUMOROUS’ entries were also supplied by CEG, ‘Bunny from Wonderland,’ with Mrs. Milton Harpster as commentator and Mrs. Clinton R. Brisenbine as model; Second Reconnaissance Technical Squadron, Directorate of Information, ‘All Purpose Mini, Midi, Maxi,’ with Mrs. George W. Evert III as commentator and Mrs. Michael Adams as model. 

“Other entries in the ‘Most Beautiful’ category included the Combat Support Group, ‘Jeweled Pants Ensemble,’ with Mrs. Gerald Rambo as commentator and Mrs. John Davis as model, and the Directorate of Operations ‘A Rose is a Rose is a Rose,’ with Mrs. Lloyd Huxtable as commentator and Mrs. Robert Rahn.” 

While the roles of men and women have changed throughout the evolution of equality in the United States, what used to be called the Barksdale Officers’ Wives’ Club has evolved into the Barksdale Officers’ Spouses’ Club. 

Would you like to see pictures of other fashion shows of the Barksdale Officers’ Wives’/Spouses’ Club? Then visit our website, www.bossierlibrary.org, to access the Bossier Parish Libraries History Center’s Collections Database with over 10,000 images and plenty of Bossier Parish History to keep you entertained. You can also follow us, @BPLHistoryCenter, on Facebook to see posts with great pictures of Bossier Parish History. 

While visiting the library’s website, be sure to explore all of the great online databases. Such as creativebug, which has over 1000 online art and craft courses; kanopy, for thousands of films you can stream online; or maybe take a Gale Course and learn something new or improve a particular skill over a six-week course, all are free with your library card. If you do not have a library card, you can still get one while we are closed by going to our website and selecting “get an e-card” at the top of the page inside the red “Public Health Alert” box. 

By: Amy Robertson 

Barksdale Field’s Role During WWII

Barksdale Field, 1934; Eunice DeField Collection: 2002.027.003

Before the United States Air Force was formed on September 18, 1947, Barksdale was known as Barksdale Field and was a part of the United States Air Corps a division of the U.S. Army. Barksdale Field was the largest military airfield in the world, dedicated on February 2, 1933.

In 1939 war broke out in Europe, and Washington called for an immediate expansion of its military capabilities. Along with the rest of the U.S. military branches, Barksdale started to prepare for war. As a result of the war raging in Europe, the personnel strength doubled at Barksdale Field by the end of that year.

In 1940 Barksdale Field was converted into an Air Corps Flying School, playing an essential role in World War II. In which there were four specialized flying schools established under the Southeast Air Corps Training Center. These flying schools were the Advanced Flying School two-engine (TE) pilots; Advanced Flying School TE Bombardier; Advanced Flying School TE Navigation; and Advanced Flying School single engine pilots.

After Barksdale Field was placed on war status in December of 1941, they transitioned from a training base to an operational base. In February of 1942, the Third Air Force assumed jurisdiction over Barksdale with a mission to train bombardment groups for combat service. Later that year the mission at Barksdale changed again, this time from operational training to replacement training. The Second Air Support Command Headquarters made Barksdale Field it's home in March 1943. Within a year, the remaining 335th Medium Bombardment Group was operating 95 airplanes and furnishing 65 crews per month for the combat theaters.

In the summer of 1943, the first Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) arrived at Barksdale, who along with the nurses provided vital services toward making Barksdale an exceptional airfield.

Just months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the 44th Bombardment Group was established at Barksdale Field. This unit created and trained America’s most famous B-24 organizations, including itself.

Unfortunately, accidents happened but when they did, they provided training on how to respond. On July 7, 1942, two accidents took place one involving a B-24D the other, separate accident, was of a B-26 Marauder, both planes experienced collapsed nose gear. These and other similar occurrences during the War brought about the slogan “Two a day, the Barksdale way.”

Beginning in 1944, Barksdale Field also served as a training center for the Army Air Corps Military Police during World War II, which included airfield defense. The vastness of Barksdale Field provided military police in training with a realistic experience when they simulated scenarios for both European and Pacific theater operations.

Barksdale Field also served as a training base for the Free French Air Force, where several hundred French airmen trained. The French Air Force received combat crew training in the Martin B-26. Every Friday Barksdale would fly the French tri-color flag while the French airmen trained.

In 1943 soldiers built and tended what was known as the largest Army Victory Garden; towards the end of the war German POW’s were brought from Camp Ruston to Barksdale to maintain the garden. German POWs could also on occasion be seen tending to the roads and maintaining the grounds.

On August 9, 1945, one of the bombardiers trained at the U. S. Air Corps Bombardier School at Barksdale Field, Kermit Beahan, dropped the lethal atomic payload on Nagasaki, Japan. The War was finally ended on September 2, 1945. After the war ended, Barksdale Field became a peacetime training center becoming the home of the Air Training Command from 1946-1949.

If you enjoy learning about history, you won’t want to miss Reverend Siegfried Kunz’s talk, “World War II and its Aftermath Through the Eyes of a German Boy.” Where Rev. Kunz will tell his riveting and heartbreaking story as a child refugee with his family, ethnic German minorities in Eastern Europe during and just after World War II. Monday, May 6, 2019, at 6:00 pm at the Bossier Parish Libraries History Center, 2206 Beckett Street, Bossier City.

By: Amy Robertson

Miniature Donkey Serves as Mascot at Barksdale

Throughout history, military units around the world have often adopted animals as mascots. The custom of adopting mascots originated from troops bringing a pet to war, adopting one at the place they are stationed at or being presented a pet as a gift. These mascots, whether official or unofficial, are often used for ceremonial purposes or as an emblem of that unit.

In the mid-1950s, the 376th Air Refueling Squadron from Barksdale Air Force Base, headquarters of the United States Eighth Air Force, returned from a “Reflex” deployment at the Ben Guerir Air Base in French Morocco with a miniature donkey, Fatima. According to the memory of former Lt. Col. Raymond Burgess, Fatima was bought by engineer John Yancey who also took care of the miniature donkey after their return to Barksdale.

Fatima with Officers; image courtesy of the Barksdale Global Power Museum

When the 376th Air Refueling Squadron arrived at Barksdale with Fatima on their KC-97 Stratotanker, there were some raised eyebrows among the top brass. None the less, Fatima became the official mascot for the 376th Air Refueling Squadron at Barksdale Air Force Base and the inspiration for the official squadron emblem.

Emblem of the 376th Air Refueling Squadron (SAC) (1950s)/ scan of USAF patch/ United States Air Force/ Wikimedia commons/ USGOV-PD [Public Domain]

The Barksdale Lady Auxiliary adopted Fatima for their events, making her official blanket and cap, and featuring her in parades. One of the women also made a toy replica of Fatima. She became popular among the Barksdale Air Force Base dependents, was an honored guest at the Officers' Club, and even became known among the civilian population as she was welcomed at some of the clubs in the entertainment district of that time known as the “Bossier Strip.”

Military mascots typically are not used in warfare as a weapon or transport. And not only do they serve as an emblem of the unit and for ceremonial purposes, but also help to boost the morale of the men and women serving in the unit. With the dangerous in-air fueling maneuvers performed by the men of the 376th Air Refueling Squadron, Fatima certainly lightened the mood and boosted morale among the airmen.

Upon Fatima’s retirement, she was reportedly sold to a local farm and spared any more plane rides.

Visit the Bossier Parish Libraries History Center to see images of Fatima or to learn more about Bossier Parish History.

While mascots generally do not serve in warfare, that is not the case with Americas most decorated war dog of World War I. This Saturday, March 9, 2019, at 1:30 pm, the Bossier Parish Libraries History Center will have a special movie event, Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero; a family film of the true World War I story of America’s most decorated dog. There will be activities, giveaways, and of course, snacks. This event is free, and no registration is required.

Sgt. Stubby (CA 1916-1926)
Nationaal Archief/Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain

Sgt. Stubby Movie Poster

"REMEMBERING HOW BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE GOT ITS NAME"

The October 21, 1948 edition of The Planters Press reminded its readers of how Barksdale Air Force Base got its name.

“The name of Barksdale Air Force Base came from a World War I ace, Lieut. Eugene Hoy Barksdale of Rankin County, Miss., who lost his life in 1926 while testing an army plane at Dayton, Ohio.”

“He did not have to take the risk himself, but it was characteristic of the distinguished flier never to ask another to face danger which he himself would not face.”

“His life sized portrait is in the officers’ club at the base, some of the material for the painter’s use having come from word picture by Gen. Jerry Brandt, now retired, but once commanding officer of Barksdale Air Force Base, who was a buddy of Lieutenant Barksdale in the first world conflict.”

“Born at Goshen Springs, Miss., Lieutenant Barksdale flew with the British Royal Air Force during the First World War and participated in the Sommes, Amiens and Cambral offensives.”

“He died Aug. 11, 1926, when the parachute became entangled in the rear flying brace wires of an airplane from which he had been forced to jump. His grave is in Arlington Cemetery.”

“Located in Bossier Parish, three and one-half miles from Shreveport, Barksdale Air Force Base consists 20,886 acres which was donated to the United States government by the city of Shreveport. The reservation is nine and one-half miles long and 5 miles wide.”

“The base was officially dedicated Feb. 2, 1933 when 131 visiting planes landed on the new runways for the ceremonies.”

“The property was acquired by the city at a gross expense of approximately $1,650,000. Many months were required to acquire the 135 tracts in the site from 800 individual owners.”

“From 900 to 1,100 men, primarily from Shreveport, were employed at the height of the building period during June, July and August, 1933. Of the initial $3,500,000 invested, $1,400,000 was spent for labor.”

“The buildings are of French Colonial design and those of a large and public labor are fireproof. The homes of officers and non-commissioned officers are of hollow tile covered with tinted stucco.”

To find out more about Barksdale Air Force Base’s exciting history visit the Bossier Parish Libraries History Center.

By: Ann Middleton

"WHEN BARKSDALE FIELD WAS THE BEST AIR DEFENSE IN THE NATION"

3rd Attack Group A-12 Planes in 1935
Eunice DeField collection: 2002.027.009

The Planters Press issue for February 28, 1935 announced that Barksdale Field was the best air  defense base in the United States.

“Bossier City is now the home of one of the leading aerial defense bases of the entire nation.  This became a fact yesterday when the remaining three planes and about 300 officers and enlisted men arrived at the Field from Fort Crockett, Texas.”

“Col. Gerald C. Brant, new Barksdale Field and Third Wing Commander, with his wife, arrived in Bossier City Tuesday.  Although his official duties begin March 2d, he is expected to begin organizing his staff at once.”

“Forty planes arrived at Barksdale Field from Fort Crockett several days ago.  The Third Wing’s motor transport left Galveston early yesterday.  Approximately 150 enlisted men made the trip from Galveston to Barksdale Field aboard a troup [sic] train, and 135 men accompanied the motor convoy.  Some 205 enlisted men and officers made the trip here by private automobiles.”

“It is understood that Major Millard F. Harmon will be retained on the staff as commander of the Twentieth Pursuit Group.  Major Earl Naiden, in all probability, will have the title of Group Commander.  Orders were issued Tuesday by the War Department for the removal of Lieutenant William P. Sloan from Luke Field, territory of Hawaii, and First Lieutenant Nelie J. Coultee from Allbrooks Field, Balboa, Canal Zone, to Barksdale Field.”

Bossier Parish Library History Center Collection: 2001.007.161

“Barksdale Field is the largest airport in the world, embracing some 22,000 acres.  Its buildings are magnificent and it is an ideal field for training the air men of the nation.  It is a source of gratification to residents of Bossier City to know that the personnel at the Field have been credited in the manner which the Field merits.”

Barksdale Field 1935
Neil Yarborough collection: 2006.034.028-1

To learn more about how Barksdale Field became Barksdale Air Force Base, visit the Bossier Parish Libraries History Center.












By: Ann Middleton

This Month in Bossier Parish History

February throughout the years! 

Feb. 2, 1933:  Crowds gathered for the dedication of Barksdale Field (now Barksdale Air Force Base). Published; The Bossier Banner,  Feb. 9, 1933.

Happy 85th Anniversary! 

For all military personnel - past, present and future, thank you for your service!

Neil Yarborough Collection:
2006.034.016 - Dedication Day

For more photos on the making of Barksdale Field, come see us at the Bossier Parish Library Historical Center!

Feb. 16, 1893: Mrs. H.N. Sibley's Valentine's Day gift,  a 10 pound baby boy! 

Bossier Banner: Feb. 16, 1893

Feb. 24, 1843: Bossier Parish was carved from Claiborne Parish and was officially created February 24, 1843, when Governor Alexandre Mouton signed Act 33 into law.

Pierre Evariste Jean-Baptiste Bossier (1797-1844), he is the namesake of Bossier Parish.

 

Gen. Pierre Bossier
1998.002.002

Feb. 26, 1920:  The boys of Benton High School took interest in “Bird life” and organized an Audubon Society for the Benton community.

Bossier Banner: Feb. 26, 1920

Benton High Class 1926-1927
2014.048.001 Louise Graham Collection