Through the years, as Bossier City has grown in population, efforts have periodically surfaced to instill the community with a sense of identity and uniqueness through the use of slogans. While utilizing slogans is nothing new for cities – think “The City That Never Sleeps” for New York and “What Happens Here, Stays Here” for Las Vegas – Bossier has perhaps had more than its share of attempts at finding an ideal catch phrase.
In 1923, with its number of residents topping 1,000, Bossier was officially proclaimed a town, and within a few short years, the idea of creating a slogan for the burgeoning community took hold. The Bossier Lions Club sponsored a slogan contest in early 1928 with cash prizes for the best offerings. The stated contest rules, published in The Bossier Banner of February 9 that year, mentioned that club members would vote to select the top two entries. First place would receive $10, with second receiving $5.
Within two months, after reportedly receiving several thousand entries, members chose a winner. The top vote-getter, according to The Planter’s Press of April 13, 1928, was “Bossier, City of the Hour,” submitted by Bossier student, Johnny Liberto. Runner-up was “Be Bossier’s Booster.”
Fast forward 23 years when the city’s status received another upgrade due to population increase. In October 1951, having more than 5,000 residents, the Town of Bossier City was declared by Louisiana Governor Earl Long to be the City of Bossier City. As part of the celebration surrounding the auspicious occasion, another slogan contest was held, this one sponsored by The Planters Press and the Bossier Chamber of Commerce. The winning submission, by writer and Bossier resident Irene Vinson, was “Next Door Neighbor to World’s Largest Air Base,” a nod to Barksdale Air Force Base and the city’s gratitude for its presence. Mrs. Vinson’s entry earned her a cash award of $15.
In an editorial of October 13, The Shreveport Journal praised the new slogan: “Sharing a boundary line with Barksdale Air Force Base is one of Bossier City’s most outstanding privileges. The Journal congratulates Bossier upon having a slogan which is so appropriately expressive of one of the community’s principal resources.” But despite its being well-received, this slogan apparently became a victim of the city’s continued growth, as another slogan became popular later that decade.
By 1957, the phrase “Fastest Growing City in Louisiana,” was being applied to Bossier. An article in May that year, appearing in Barksdale’s newspaper, The Observer, used the phrase in praising Bossier’s progress, and Bossier City Mayor Jake Cameron used it two years later in an editorial he wrote for The Shreveport Journal. “Bossier City has been called by people all over the state, the fastest growing city in Louisiana,” Cameron stated. He estimated the number of residents in 1959 to be approximately 30,000.
But that slogan also wasn’t in use for long. A front-page headline in the March 27, 1960 issue of The Bossier Tribune declares, “City Abandons Old Slogan,” with the accompanying article saying “Fastest Growing City” was being dropped in favor of “The City of Champions.” Although the article mentions that Bossier was still experiencing tremendous growth, it states that Mayor Cameron felt the “Champions” moniker was more appropriate due to various titles and championships won by schools such as Rusheon Junior High and Bossier High School, as well as Bossier High graduate Eurlyne Howell winning the Miss USA crown. From newspaper accounts, it seems this slogan, like the others, was heralded initially, but used infrequently thereafter. I was unable to find mention of it beyond 1963.
In the late 1970s, yet another attempt was made to provide a notable slogan for the city. Bossier Bank and Trust created a promotional campaign in 1979 titled “Bossier’s Breaking Through…And Coming on Strong,” and even had a song recorded for it. With the backing of Mayor Marvin Anding, the City Council, Bossier Chamber of Commerce, and Bossier Economic Foundation, the campaign was launched with much enthusiasm. Jim McKigney, the bank’s chairman of the board and chief executive officer at the time, was quoted in an article in The Bossier Tribune of November 9 that year as saying the goal was to “draw attention to Bossier’s dynamic growth.” The slogan was used often during the couple of years after its creation.
With Bossier City celebrating its 75th anniversary in 1982, community leaders thought it appropriate to have a slogan for that festive occasion. “Much Alive After 75” was chosen and printed on everything from buttons to bumper stickers. That slogan was used primarily during the anniversary year.
There was an effort in the early 1990s to have a slogan that would promote both Bossier and Shreveport. “Shreveport-Bossier City: Where Working Together Means Growing Together,” submitted by Grambling State University doctoral student SaRita Martin, was selected from among approximately 2,000 entries in a contest sponsored in part by The Times and KTAL-TV. I was unable to find mention of it in newspapers after 1992. Although our slogans may come and go, Bossier City remains a great place to call home.
If you have any information relating to the history of Bossier City and Bossier Parish, the History Center may be interested in adding the material to its research collection. We are currently closed for installation of new exhibits, but can still be reached at (318) 746-7717 and by email at history-center@bossierlibrary.org. We can also be found online at https://www.facebook.com/BPLHistoryCenter/ and http://bpl-hc.blogspot.com/
Images:
- Headline from The Planters Press, April 13, 1928
- Headline from The Bossier Tribune, March 27, 1960
- Button from Bossier's 75th anniversary, 1982/History Center collection
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