"DARING AIR SHOW AT BARKSDALE FIELD"

Aerial view of Barksdale Field 1934
Eunice DeField collection; 2002.027.003

The Plain Dealing Progress announced in its November 1, 1934 issue a daring air show that was scheduled to take place at Barksdale Field on Sunday, November 4, 1934.

“The army air corps’ most daring formation flyers have been given permission to demonstrate tricky close formation flying at Barksdale Field in the charity air show to be staged Nov. 4 it was announced Wednesday by Captain Oliver Gothlin, operations officer in charge of the program.”

“They are Captain Claire Chenault, Lieut. Heywood Hansell, Jr., and Private ‘Red’ Williams, all stationed at the air corps tactical school at Maxwell Field, Montgomery, Ala.”

“Captain Chenault is the leader of the skilled army trio. Daring maneuvers have been demonstrated by them at many of the leading airshows, including the recent Shushan dedication in New Orleans.”

“Piloting three small pursuit planes of the same type as those stationed at Barksdale Field, the three flyers will put their ships through a dozen or more daring maneuvers, flying within arm’s length of each other. Captain Chenault, Lieutenant Hansell and Private Williams have been flying together for the last several years, the enlisted pilot formerly holding a reserve officer’s commission.”

“Besides the thrilling event of these flyers, many other interesting events have been planned to make the air show the most complete military demonstration ever seen in Louisiana. More than 65 army planes will be seen in mass formation, simulated attacks by pursuit on enemy bombardment, aerial gunnery, bombing and trick flying.”

“Proceeds from a small admission charge to the field’s paved hanger way will be divided among the community fund of Shreveport and Caddo Parish and the army relief fund. Special permission from the war department has been obtained for the demonstration.”

Established in 1932, Barksdale Field became Barksdale Air Force Base in 1948, concurrent with the establishment of the United States Air Force as a separate military branch.

To learn more about the growth and development of Barksdale Air Force Base visit the Bossier Parish Libraries History Center.

And remember to mark your calendars and join us for our Holiday Open House on Friday, December 7, 2018 from 1:00-3:00 PM at 2206 Beckett Street.

"PLAIN DEALING HIGH SCHOOL ANNIVERSARY CALENDAR BEING SOLD"

Plain Dealing High School 60th Anniversary Birthday Calendar
Mary Rodgers Liberto Collection:2003.035.018

The December 1, 1949, issue of The Plain Dealing Progress urged residents to purchase an unusual calendar.

“In every home in this area it is expected that there will be found one of the 1949, 60th anniversary birthday calendars of the Plain Dealing High School. This calendar contains 1,600 names of your friends and acquaintances, with the month and day of their birth, besides a page containing the names of all those who gave their lives in the great World War II. This list will be found on the June month and is meant to be a permanent record.”

“At once, it should be known that this calendar is what it is called—an anniversary-birthday calendar, and is in no sense to be confused with the usual annual timetable calendars. It should be definitely borne in mind by all that no sheet is to be torn off, as in ordinary calendars. The whole arrangement is planned that even ten years from now you will have the calendar with every month of the year 1949 in it with the birthdays intact.”

“The school had its first year in 1889 and 1949 is the 60th anniversary of that date. So to have made a 1950 calendar would have been entirely out of line for future records. The cornerstone was laid in December 1888, which means that 1889 was the first school year.”

“A unique feature in this calendar is the staggered arrangement. The 1000 copies are divided into 12 groups, one-twelfth starting with January, each other group starting with February, and down the line. In this way, if your name is found, say in July, or any other month, you can select one with that month on the first sheet. This also gives each advertiser the same favor that any other has.”

“The calendars will be in charge of the local school and future announcements will come from there. Now they can get the calendar by the payment of 50 cents.”

“Please remember that no month sheet is to be torn off. It is not at all to be used as a day of the month reference, but as a birthday reference and a 60th anniversary memorial—1889-1949. It is by far the most complete calendar record we have seen and every home should have one.”

To see a copy of this special calendar, visit the Bossier Parish Libraries History Center.

By: Ann Middleton

EAST BANK DISTRICT (OLD DOWNTOWN BOSSIER) HISTORY WALKING TOUR

EAST BANK DISTRICT (OLD DOWNTOWN BOSSIER) HISTORY WALKING TOUR

A Bossier Parish 175^th Anniversary Event, in conjunction with the East Bank Shop Small Market, Small Business Saturday. 

Bossier Parish Libraries History Center Outreach Specialist Pam Carlisle will conduct a one-hour tour to share stories from the historic buildings clustered area around the new East Bank Plaza, 665 Barksdale Blvd. Learn about the fascinating history of what was Bossier City’s bustling downtown, which is coming to life again as the East Bank District. Participants in the tour will receive a Bossier Parish 175th Anniversary T-shirt as supplies last.

Sat. November 24, 2018

Tour offered Twice: 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

East Bank Plaza, 665 Barksdale Blvd., Bossier City, La. 

FREE

Call Pam Carlisle at 318-746-7717 at the Bossier Parish Libraries History Center for more information.

Rain Date: If East Bank Shop Small Market is cancelled due to bad weather, tours will be held Sun. Dec. 2 during HeART the Art festival, departing East Bank Plaza at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

"GALA EVENT TO COVER 10 DAY PERIOD"

The opening of the Big Chain complex was documented in the October 15, 1953 issue of Bossier City Planters Press.

“The Big Chain Bossier City Community Shopping Center located at the intersection of the Old Minden Road and the Benton Road, one block off Barksdale Blvd., will hold its gala opening Tuesday, Oct., 13^th.”

Mayor Burgess E. McCranie with the Bossier City Planning Commission
City of Bossier City collection: 2016.019.009

“Mayor Burgess E. McCranie of Bossier City and Col. Samuel Smith, commanding officer of Barksdale Air Force Base will cut a ribbon in front of the Big Chain section of the million-dollar development at its opening at 9 a.m. Tuesday.”

“A total of $3,999.99 worth of door prizes will be given away over a ten-day period, Ed Wile, President of the Big Chain, announced.”

“On the first day of the opening a $250 RCA television set will be given away plus $100 toward installation of the set.”

“Also, 15 baskets of groceries worth $15 apiece will be given away each of the 10 days.  All of this will be nationally-known merchandise, Wile added.”

“In addition, a $12.50 Parker Pen set will be given away each day for the first five days.  Also, a $2.50 Betty Crocker cookbook will be given away one a day for the first five days.”

“On Saturday, Oct. 17, a $700 pair of chinchillas, complete with pen and set of instructions on how to raise will be given away as a door prize.”

“On Tuesday, Oct. 20, a brand new, never-before-marketed $214 5 ½ horsepower 1954 Johnston [sic] outboard motor will go to someone as a door prize.  Wile said that only men and boys could register for this prize.”

“On Saturday, Oct. 24, a $299 Deepfreeze unit with 100 packages of frozen foods will be given away.”

“Various other prizes during the 10-day opening will also be given away.” 

Other businesses joining the Big Chain Grocery in the complex were Bossier Bank and Trust Co., F. W. Woolworth, White’s Cleaners, Buckelew’s, Shreveport Refrigeration Co., Inc., Bell Brothers Shoes and Naremore’s Bossier Drug Store.

Big Chain started in Shreveport on the corner of Texas and Edwards Streets on November 6, 1922.  The Bossier Big Chain Center was designed by architects Sam L.G. Wiener and William B. Wiener.

To learn more about Bossier businesses, come to the Bossier Parish Libraries History Center.

By: Ann Middleton

Holiday Open House in Honor of Bossier Parish's 175th Anniversary

WHEN: Friday, Dec. 7, 2018

Time: 1-3 pm

WHERE: Bossier Parish Libraries History Center

2206 Beckett St., Bossier City, LA 71111

The History Center’s 2018 Holiday Open House will be presented in Honor of the culmination of Bossier Parish’s 175^th Anniversary year. Please come to enjoy our holiday decor, exhibits, music and refreshments. For children (and the young-at-heart) there will be a  special Bossier Parish 175^th make-and-take anniversary craft and ‘old-fashioned’ giveaway items. FREE and open to the public of all ages. 

Call 318-746-7717 for more information.  

"UNUSUAL PAY-OFF FOR FOOTBALL BET"

LSU's 1910 football team
2001.031.013;Katherine Poole Antrobus collection

The Planters’ Press shared the following incident in its October 27, 1938, issue.

“Deputy Sheriff Ira Harbuck paid off a football bet Monday at noon when he trundled a wheelbarrow in which the winner of the wager, Jimmy Swords, was riding from the front of the Court House up through the town of Benton and back again.”

“The two had bet on the outcome of the State University-Vanderbilt football game, played last Saturday night down in Baton Rouge.  Being a staunch Centenary fan, Ira naturally couldn’t see LSU at all.  Well, he lost.”

“Several of their friends contrived to borrow a wheelbarrow and ‘dress it up’ in LSU’s colors.  A placard reading as follows: ‘I won, he lost’ was prepared and Jimmy carried it proudly as the bet was being paid off.”

“The big crowd attracted by the novel ‘stunt’ proved about as embarrassing to Jimmy as to Ira, for ‘tis said that Ira managed to make the ride a most uncomfortable one what with finding all the holes and rough spots from the Court House up town and back.”

“One pleasant diversion during the affair took place at the D.H. Stinson home.  Tax Assessor T.J. Caldwell, a graduate of LSU, and an ardent football ‘rooter’ for the Tigers, stopped the parade to call his ‘Friend Dewey’ outside ‘to see what happens to fellows who bet against LSU.’  When Dewey appeared with a shotgun the Tax Assessor’s dignity deserted him and he flattened himself out on the sidewalk in nothing flat, to the amusement of all present.”

“Since that time the Assessor hasn’t been so active in promoting football bets—in fact, he’s declined to make a similar wager with Health Director H.N. Barnett, a loyal Vandy man, who’s betting Tennessee upsets the Bayou Tigers this weekend.”

For more light-hearted Bossier humor that appeared in the local newspapers, visit Bossier Parish Libraries History Center.

By: Ann Middleton

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