Bossier Gains New Business Advocate After World War II

In the late 1940s, as the Town of Bossier City grew in population – it would officially become a city in 1951 due to this growth – Bossier civic leaders felt there was a need for an organization to help promote the town. If it was to continue prospering, Bossier needed a new advocate. Enter the Bossier Chamber of Commerce.

Calls for the formation of the chamber began in earnest in April 1947. Local realtor and civic leader Arthur Ray Teague spoke before representatives from clubs such as the Lions, Optimists, Kiwanis, Home Demonstration and others, making the case. An article in The Shreveport Journal of April 30, 1947, states, “Teague pointed out that … a town the size of Bossier not only needed a chamber of commerce, but had reached the stage of wanting it also.” According to the article, his proposal was met with “a great deal of enthusiasm.”

Meetings were held to further the cause and a membership drive was started. Advice came from the Shreveport and Vivian Chambers of Commerce. The Planters Press newspaper published an editorial on June 12 stating that the paper was “one hundred percent plus for the local chamber of commerce proposal,” and praised efforts to make it happen. “The spirit with which essential preliminary work is being done is indicative of the community’s praiseworthy ambition to grow larger, to prosper more and to build soundly for the future general progress of Bossier City and surrounding territory,” the editorial says.

The goal of the membership drive was to raise $12,000 to fund chamber operations. According to The Shreveport Times of June 18, 1947, the first week of the membership drive saw approximately 50 individuals and businesses join, raising just over $2,000. Although The Planters Press states the number of members increased to 180 by about mid-August, the amount raised totaled only $8,000, but that was enough to move forward with electing a board of directors, choosing officers and finding a chamber manager.

Former Shreveport resident Larry Maihles was selected to lead the chamber as its first manager. His previous experience included stints with the Shreveport and Haynesville Chambers of Commerce, followed by service in the Pacific during World War II, and then as assistant manager of the chamber in San Diego, California. He resigned the position on the west coast for the move to Bossier. Headquarters for his new job was on the second floor of the Bossier Bank and Trust company building. And there was little time for relaxing.

Within just a few weeks of Maihles’ hiring, the chamber established a program called “Build a Better Bossier” that led to many new initiatives benefitting the area. Chamber members submitted suggestions to help with the program, generating 23 projects that dealt with everything from legislation and taxation to fire prevention. The Planters Press has a complete listing of the projects in its December 11, 1947 issue. A chamber-sponsored radio show was also created, airing once each week on station KRMD. Sam Peters Jr., chairman of the chamber’s publicity and advertising committee, was quoted in a November 6 Planters Press article as saying that the show was meant “to keep the people informed on chamber of commerce projects and activities and developments in Bossier City and Bossier Parish.”

From these auspicious beginnings, the Bossier Chamber of Commerce grew and has for 78 years continued to help build a better Bossier. The importance of that record of service isn’t lost on current chamber President and CEO Lisa Johnson, who has been with the organization since 2004. “As we look back through our history, it is critically important to understand where we came from and how key initiatives began,” she said. “I am honored to learn from the legacy of those who came before us and to carry their vision forward. The Bossier Chamber has long been a catalyst in shaping Bossier Parish and its municipalities, and today, we continue that work with purpose and pride.”

If you have any photos, documents or other information relating to the history of Bossier City or Bossier Parish, the History Center may be interested in adding the materials to its research collection by donation or by scanning them and returning the originals. Call or visit us to learn more. We are open Monday through Friday 9-6. Our phone number is (318) 746-7717 and our email is history-center@bossierlibrary.org. We can also be found online at https://www.facebook.com/BPLHistoryCenter/ 

Images: 

• Arthur Ray Teague/History Center collection
• Chamber advertisement/The Planters Press, Jan 27, 1949

Article by: Kevin Flowers

The Christmas Spirit of 1949

First parish-wide Christmas Tree party sponsored by the Bossier Chamber of Commerce,
held in the Bossier High School auditorium, 21 Dec. 1949. 

1949 was an exciting time to be in Bossier City at Christmas time. The Bossier Chamber of Commerce sponsored the first parish-wide Christmas tree gala. The local retail merchants' committee of the Bossier Chamber of Commerce arranged for colorful lighting that was installed on Traffic Street from the old post office to Barksdale Boulevard, and on Barksdale Boulevard from Traffic Street to Bennett Street. The newspapers called it "Bossier City's most elaborate display of the Christmas Spirit."

Local merchants financed the affair, and civic organizations and citizens sent donations to provide presents for the children. Original plans for the gala called for an outdoor celebration on the property that belonged to Cecil Woodward in the 700-block of Barksdale Boulevard. It is there that a 12-foot Christmas tree was set-up for the occasion. When inclement weather threatened the festivities, the Christmas tree was relocated to the Bossier High School auditorium, where a crowd of about 650 people gathered to enjoy the Christmas festivities.

After a brief welcome statement from the Bossier Chamber President, D.L. Patrick, clowns and a group of "talented fun-provokers" entertained the crowd. The Bossier High School's 85-piece band played several Christmas carols and other numbers. An 80-voice choir in several selections accompanied the band. The audience joined in the singing of "Silent Night" and "Jingle Bells."

The most welcome guest to attend the Bossier Christmas party was Santa Claus, with all of the merriment he brings. According to an article in the Bossier Banner, "When he appeared near the end of an hour long program in the Bossier high school auditorium, he was greeted with shrieks and yells from more than 200 children. He gave each of them a bag of fruit, nuts, candy and toys."

This gala, like so many holiday events, was about community and giving. This event is one example of how local clubs and organizations work together with the community to provide holiday cheer for all. That same year, the Bossier City Lions Club promoted a Christmas Joy Fund in its third year.

In an article in The Planters Press, it was made clear that "Although inaugurated by the local Lions club the Joy Fund is not the fund of any particular group. It belongs to all the citizens as co-sponsors. All clubs and organizations and all citizens are invited to take part." That year many groups and citizens played a vital role in collecting donations for the fund.

The Bossier High School band members had "tag days" in the downtown shopping area, and they had their annual school concert in which they charged one article of food or clothing for admission. The Red River Motor Company contributed to the transportation of the food and clothing to the distribution center.

The Bossier City Mothers Club surveyed the needs of those less fortunate and prepared the packages of holiday cheer for delivery. Men of various local clubs, including the Lions Club, assisted in distributing the Christmas goods. During that time, the fund raised about $600 every Christmas season, which would be a little over $6500 today. All excess funds remaining at the end of any given year were kept in this "sacred fund" to use the following year.

Various groups have sponsored funds, such as the Bossier City Christmas Joy Fund, for over a century in this Parish. After all, Christmas is a time for giving. May you all have a joyous holiday season.

To learn more about local clubs and organizations, visit the Bossier Parish Libraries History Center at 2206 Beckett Street, Bossier City. Questions, call 318-746-7717 or email us at history-center@bossierlibrary.org. Be sure to follow us @BPLHistoryCenter on FB.

By: Amy Robertson

Sage Advice Still Holds True

“An exchange gives the following ten reasons why people should spend their money at home. They are so forcible and well put that we cannot refraim [sic] from presenting them to our readers, hoping that they will give them the consideration which they deserve:

“1st. It is your home; you cannot improve it much by taking money away to spend or invest.

“2d. There is no way of improving a place so much as by encouraging good merchants, good schools, and good people to settle among you and this cannot be done unless you spend your money at home.

“3d. Spend your money at home, because there is where you generally get it. It is your duty.

“4d. Spend your money at home, because when it is necessary for you to get credit, it is of your town merchants you have generally to get it and they must wait for the money. Therefore when you have the cash in hand spend it at home.

“5th. Spend your money at home. It will make better merchants of your merchants: they can and will keep better assortmenis [sic] and sell at lower rates than if the only business they can do is what is credited out, while the money goes to other places.

“6th. Spend your money at home. You may have sons growing up who will some day be the best merchants in town. Help lay the foundation of them now. It is a duty. It way be your pride in after years to say: ‘By my trading at the store I got my son a position as clerk, and now he is a proprietor.’ Then you will think it hard if your neighbors spend their money out of town. Set the example now.

“7th. Spend your money at home. Set the example now. Buy your dry goods, groceries, meats and everything at home, and you will see a wonderful change in a short time in the business outlook of the place; therefore deal with your home merchants.

“8th. Spend your money at home. What do you gain by going off! Count the cost; see what you could have done at home by letting your merchant have the cash. Strike a balance and see if you would not have been just as well off, besides helping your merchant.

“9th. Spend your money at home. Your merchants are your neighbors, your friends; they stand by you in sickness – are your associates; without your trade they cannot keep your business. No stores, then no banks, no one wanting to buy property to settle on and build up your place.

“10th. Merchants should do their advertising at home. They should get their bill-heads, circulars, cards letter-heads, envelopes, and all their printing at home, of their own newspaper, who aid them in many ways and advertise them hundreds of times without any pay whatever.

Merchants should set an example to their customers by patronizing liberally their home newspapers. Men and woman [sic] are imitative animals and are prone to follow examples set them. How can merchants expect their neighbors to trade with them if they set the example of going away from home for their printing and advertising! Let merchants and people all patronize home enterprise, and home industry and home trade. So shall they all be prosperous and happy.”

Source: The Bossier Banner, 30 May 1984
Bossier Chamber of Commerce ad illustration
 

The above admonishment appeared in the Bossier Banner on Oct. 14, 1875. While many things have changed in the past 145-years, the message conveyed then still holds true today. Supporting the local economy provides more money for schools, roads, emergency response services, waterworks, libraries, public health facilities, and so much more.

By: Amy Robertson