How Barksdale Boulevard Got Its Name

1931 ariel view of Barksdale Field and Bossier City. Philip and Vickie Hardin Collection 2011.053.001

It was the fall of 1932 when Barksdale Field became operational. The excitement of it coming inspired the idea of changing the name of the main street in Bossier City, which was at that time Cain Street. That spring, the suggestion was made, prompting the following article to appear in "The Planters Press" with a call to action.

"A suggestion was made to us the other day regarding the possibility of having the name of Cain Street changed to Barksdale Boulevard from the Traffic bridge to the entrance to Barksdale Field. This seemed a good suggestion and we are taking this opportunity of passing it along to the people of Bossier for their consideration.

"As we see it the change would serve a multiple usefulness. It would first of all definitely designate what is now Cain Street as the direct means of approaching Barksdale Field. It would locate the main street of Bossier as no other method could. And the name has a euphony which the present name of the street cannot be said to enjoy.

"When plans are complete there will be a wide boulevard from the Traffic bridge to Barksdale Field. The road will be widened, and we hope lights installed to make the highway well lighted throughout its length to the entrance of the field. This is the logical direction of growth for the business district, the new bridge notwithstanding, and we hope that Cain Street merchants realize it. It is our hope that the Bossier City Lions Club will sponsor this project, and that whatever steps that are necessary be taken to have this change effected – provided, of course, that it meets with the approval of the people of the town."

Opinions appeared in "The Planters Press"; some in favor and some not in favor of the name change. One person wrote, "We believe that Cain Street should be re-named Barksdale Boulevard. What better name could there be for the street that leads directly to the Third Attack Wing Site, Barksdale Field? And believe me that field will be the show place of this entire country when it is completed."

Another person opined that "Some citizens of Bossier want the street to keep the name of Cain. Others want it Barksdale Boulevard. While I personally think it should be Barksdale Street. It is in no way a Boulevard. Why should the citizens and officials go to the trouble of mis-naming their main street? The good people of this city should come forth and speak their mind. They are the owners, the taxpayers and the right goes to them. If the people are fundamentally convinced of their belief let them come forth and convince others of the soundness of their opinions and see their ideals realized."

The Bossier City Lions Club answered the call and quickly sent petitions out to merchants and residents of Cain Street. The petitions returned with signatures of practically every merchant and resident on Cain Street and several other influential citizens. Then, the Lions Club took the name change request and the petitions to the Bossier City Town Council during a special meeting. The ordinance passed, and "In view of the unanimity of this petition the council felt that their action was following the will of the people."

After the ordinance passed, another article appeared in "The Planter Press" revealing that "the Boulevard leading from the center of the flying field to the Coushatta highway has already been named Barksdale Boulevard; then by linking the Coushatta highway and Cain Street to this, making it a boulevard all the way form the traffic bridge to the center of the airport…."

The article also presented the following idea: "Now if the city of Shreveport would change the name of Lake Street from Marshall on to the Traffic bridge to West Barksdale Boulevard it would complete the link from the business center of Shreveport to the flying field in Bossier parish." The notion of re-naming Lake Street to West Barksdale Boulevard never came to fruition.

To learn more about Bossier City history, visit the Bossier Parish Libraries History Center, your leading source for Bossier Parish History. We are at 2206 Beckett Street, Bossier City. Can't come in, call 318-746-7717 or email history-center@bossierlibrary.org with your request. Be sure to follow us @BPLHistoryCenter on FB, @bplhistorycenter on Tiktok, and check out our blog, http://bpl-hc.blogspot.com/.

By: Amy Robertson