Bossier Parish Libraries History Center: This Month In Bossier Parish History

April through the years!

April 6, 1888: A ceremony was held in Bossier Parish for the completion of the Shreveport & Pacific Railroad. Mrs. Julia Rule (secretary for Mayor Currie) became the first woman to help drive the "Golden Spike". She was also a pioneer of women's rights, champion of feminine suffrage, and a columnist for "The Pansy" published in "The Times".

*Please enjoy various railroad photos of the late 1800s throughout Bossier Parish.

Mrs. Julia Rule

The Times-Democrat New Orleans, La
08 Apr. 1888

1884 VS & P Railroad Bridge over Red River. this was the first bridge that linked Shreveport and Bossier City. The Bridge had a planked floor so wagons could use the bridge. This view on the Bossier side of the bridge had to be rebuilt in 1916 due to the flood damage.

2006.034.018 Neil Yarborough Collection

Benton Railroad Depot was built when the St. Louis-Southwestern Railroad (later Cotton Belt) Railway was completed through Benton in 1888. It became the centerpiece for "New" Benton. By 1889, the town boasted a hotel, a livery stable, one store, three dwellings, a depot, and a two-story section house. The Depot was closed in 1963.

0000.001.028 Bossier Parish Library Collection

The Plain Dealing railroad depot was built in 1888

0000.006.012

Passenger train crossing trestle at Plain Dealing, La. North of Railroad depot.

1997.062.037 Bryce Turnley

April 18, 1907: Ewald Max Hoyer was appointed as Bossier City's first mayor.

Bossier Banner 18 Apr. 1907

Max Hoyer was given the honor of becoming Bossier City's first mayor. His appointment to the post was made by late Governor N. C. Blanchard, on the recommendation of Bossier City's leading business and professional men, who were impressed by Mr. Hoyer's success in his own business because of his administrative and executive ability. After the completion of his first appointive term, Mr. Hoyer was re-elected to the office and continued to serve until 1910, when he established his home in Shreveport

Neil Yarborough book pg 48-49

2006.034.001 Neil Yarborough Collection

April 21: Happy Easter!!
*please note that when this article was printed, Easter was on March 27, 1918. and also enjoy these early 1900s Easter egg hunt photos.

The Bossier Banner (Bellevue, Louisiana) · 27 Mar 1913

Red River Baptist Church Easter Egg Hunt.( Older lady standing/back row Jewel Hollier holding son,Buddy Hollier, Older girls L/R ?, Harriet Culbertson, Audrey Jones holding Joann Briethaupt, Evelyn Merritt, Christine Crouch, Front Row L/R, Shelby Jones, Carol Jones, Connie Andrews, Glenda Jones, Johnny Sconze, Judy Vos, ?,little boy in front ?, Gordon(Pee Wee) Oliver,Billy Culbertson , Pam Hollier(toppled over), Babs Hollier , Middle Section, L/R, ? , Curtis Andrews, (girl) Vonnice Smith,(behind her) William Andrews, peeking from behind is Rory Allison, big boy is Jim Oliver, behind him is Humphrey Vos , girl with hat, Ann Merritt,in front of Ann is Hazel Hamilton,?, Standing on the far left is Mike Hollier
1998.081.055 Carol Young Collection

Red River Baptist Church Easter Egg Hunt. (Older children/back row L to R): Steve Maynor, Jim Oliver, Harriet Culbertson, Betty Vos, John Richard Vos, Billy Culbertson, Christine Crouch, Hazel Hamilton, Carol Jones, Audrey Jones, Betty Jean Oliver, Sue Scouze, Billy Lou Oliver, Evelyn Merritt. (Younger children/front row) Pam Hollier, Babs Hollier, Martha Tyler, Judy Voss ? , ?, Johnny Sconze, Laverne Jones (turned around), Glenda Jones, Shelby Jones, Pee Wee Oliver, the baby in front is probably Jo Ann Brighaupt.
1998.081.054 Carol Young Collection