This Month In Bossier Parish History

 April: Through the years

Apr.6, 1888:  On this day, upon the completion of the Shreveport and Arkansas Railroad, a celebratory ceremony was held for the “Driving of the last spike”. 

In honor of this day we are sharing a photo of the golden spike being driven to mark the completion of the St. Louis Southwestern (Cotton Belt) branch from Lewisville, AR to Shreveport. This photo was taken near the eastern approach to the Texas Street bridge in Bossier City (the bridge was not there yet). Mrs. Julia Rule Julia Rule (1851-1931) was the first woman to help drive a golden spike. Along with R. N. McKellar who at that time was the president of the Cotton Exchange, the last spike was driven on April 6, 1888. McKellar later become the mayor as well as street commissioner of Shreveport. Mrs. Julia Rule was the mayor's secretary at the time of this photo. She was a pioneer of local women's rights. She was one of Shreveport's earliest newspaper columnists and society editors. Rule wrote for The Shreveport Times under the pseudonym "Pansy." Therefore, nearly everyone that knew her called her "Miss Pansy." 

photo of the golden spike being driven to mark the completion of the St. Louis Southwestern (Cotton Belt) branch from Lewisville, AR to Shreveport. This photo was taken near the eastern approach to the Texas Street bridge in Bossier City (the bridge was not there yet). Mrs. Julia Rule was the first woman to help drive a golden spike

Article 1: The Times 29 Apr 1931

Article 2: The Times-Democrat  08 Apr 1888

 

Apr 12, 1951: Bossier Bear Facts Newspaper

•   Newspaper staff working on next issue of Bossier Bear Facts.
•   1951 Bossier High’s Track Team has won four meets in a row.
•   BHS band scores 12th Straight Superior in the Northwest Music Festival.

Apr.23: National Picnic Day!  We’re a month into spring. It’s time to get outside! Luckily, National Picnic Day has arrived on April 23. 

*Please enjoy the newspaper clippings and photos relating to picnics

C.1900’s: Children (probably grandchildren) and 

older woman (Mrs. Julia Zachary) having a picnic.

1997.054.051   Findley Collection 

May be a dinner/picnic on the grounds or a

 Zachary family reunion.
1997.054.052  Findley Collection 

Apr.27, 1922: Weekly News From 100 Years Ago

• Elm Grove Oil Field was producing 2,000 barrels daily. 
• An interesting ball game was played between Plain Dealing and Alden Bridge.
• After a visit with his mother, W.H. Scanland Jr. returned to his house in Dallas. 

*Please enjoy the newspaper clippings from the Apr.27, 1922 issue of the Bossier Banner and relating photos. 

This Month in Bossier Parish History

November: Through the years

Nov. 3, 1921: Oil wells soon to be in Plain Dealing.

Bossier Banner: Nov. 3, 1921

Oil tanks and derricks owned by W.E. Hall Unknown location

2014.040.010

Lynn Lasiter Collection

Oil Field workers.It is believed that Will and Frank Hall were the boys in the photo, and that W.E. Hall is the gentlemen the youngest boy is sitting with him.

Unknown location

2014.040.009 

Lynn Lasiter Collection

"Pete's Mule Team". Pete Shaver was Charlcye Shaver Skov's father. He lived in Bossier City and worked in Oil City.

2014.049.005

Alice  Watts Collection

Nov. 7, 1878: Robert Emmet Wyche was elected Sheriff

Bossier Banner: Nov. 7, 1878

Robert Emmet Wyche1870-1880  

1997.062.053-2

Bryce Turnley Collection

Nov. 16, 1948:  J. Hill Fullilove ( 01 Aug 1876—16 Nov 1948)

He was the father of the “Pecan Industry”  in North Louisiana. He planted  is first orchard on his 1,400 acre plantation in Bossier Parish. He was recognized throughout the United States as an authority on pecan growing and was president of the National Pecan Growers Association. 

The Shreveport Builders Pg. 45-46

1998.068.005   

Melba F. Manio  Collection

Pecan Tree

1999.053.085 

Scott Brandt Collection

Nov. 25, 1929: Texas Street Bridge was approved free of cost to the communities. 

Shreveport Times: Nov. 25, 1929

Work on the bridge was set to start on July1, 1931

C. 1931 Texas Street Bridge under construction

2006.034.010

Neil Yarborobough collection

Nov. 28, 1929: Children write in their "Dear Santa" letters

The Plain Dealing Progress: Nov. 28, 1929

Princeton High School's first grade class learning how to write "Dear Santa Letters". 

Mr. Walter H. Martin is Principal. Picture as the date of: December 15, 1967.

2004.003.009

Walter H. Martin Collection