Take a step back in time and explore a piece of Downtown Shreveport’s history — Goldring’s. Below, you’ll find a collection of photos and news articles from when the store first opened, along with some of their iconic ads from the past.
Downtown Shreveport has a deeply rooted rich history in the music scene! Take a peek at some articles and photos from the past showcasing just a few of the incredible talents who performed at Steamboat Annie’s. You’ll even discover the story of a local musician whose friendship with these artists helped launch his career, taking him to stages far and wide.
The T&P Passenger Station started operating in 1941 after Texas & Pacific Railroad (T&P) decided to open a dedicated station to avoid the heavy traffic at Shreveport’s Union Station, which it had previously shared with other rail lines on Louisiana Avenue. Initially, city leaders were hesitant about the idea, preferring a single, centralized hub for all passenger trains, but eventually agreed to T&P’s plan.
This new station served Shreveport travelers until 1964, when T&P replaced it with a smaller depot on West 70th Street near the airport, allowing them to streamline operations by cutting around 30 minutes off travel time. Before this change, trains had to travel into downtown, reverse direction using a Wye track at the Market Street Station, and then return to the main line after loading and unloading passengers. The Wye track, a Y-shaped rail that enables trains to turn around, was common for managing train direction changes.
Passenger train service gradually declined in Shreveport and stopped entirely in 1969, affecting T&P as well as other lines like KCS. In 1975, T&P sold the Market Street Station to James S. Noel, who used the space to house his rare book collection, which included 200,000 volumes. By 1994, these books had been moved to the newly constructed Noel Memorial Library at LSUS, where they are still available to the public on the library’s third floor.
Information and photos courtesy of Twin Blends. See their article here for more information and photos.
The Florentine Club – Ogilvie-Wiener Mansion
Check out these incredible old photos taken by Thurman Smith in 1960! The Florentine Club is no longer there, but even after a fire in 1957 the historic house itself still stands 728 Austen/Austin Place.
Built around 1896, This Victorian Queen Anne style mansion was home to the Florentine Supper Club from 1951 to around 1960.
Today from 6-8pm, Debbie Bryant is hosting a pre-Halloween event at the historic Ogilvie-Wiener Mansion. Debbie will host a walking tour of the 9,000sq ft. historic Mansion. More information can be found here.
The Shreve Memorial Library has been a part of downtown Shreveport’s history since 1890, when a group of women organized a subscription-based library under the name Shreveport Library Association. Originally located on Crockett Street, the library has moved to various locations downtown over the years. To explore more about the library’s rich history, visit the Shreve Memorial Library website here:
https://www.shreve-lib.org/543/Main
Enjoy a few of the historic library photos below,
Morrison’s Cafeterias was a popular chain of cafeteria-style restaurants located throughout the Southeastern United States. The company began in 1920, when J.A. Morrison opened the first location in Mobile, Alabama, helping to pioneer the cafeteria dining concept, which was quite innovative for the time.
In Downtown Shreveport, Morrison’s Cafeteria started with one location and eventually expanded to two. Take a step back in time with the newspaper articles below, featuring stories from their days downtown and a glimpse at some of the special offers they advertised.
Click the image to see the full article.
The Joy Theater called Texas Street home for many years, occupying the space where On Time Fashion now stands. Some parts of the theater may have also been incorporated into the Robinson Film Center. Owned by Joy Houch, the theater was part of a chain of eighty theaters across Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas.
Twin Blends has a fascinating video about the history of the Joy Theater, which you can watch on their Facebook page here:
There are many exciting fall events on the horizon, including several happening right here in Downtown Shreveport, like the Red River Revel kicking off this week. Below, you’ll see a glimpse of one of the many parades that have taken place downtown over the years. This particular video is from the 1960 State Fair Parade.
Video credit to Twin Blends and the Singler Family
In the 1940s, Downtown Shreveport welcomed the Don Theater at 516 Crockett Street. Built by Don George and designed by the firm Neild and Somdal, the theater featured a single screen and seated approximately 1,300 patrons. Unfortunately, the Don Theater closed its doors in 1983 and was demolished in 1987, marking the end of an era for one of Shreveport’s historic entertainment venues.
Special thanks to Twin Blends. They credited the vintage portion of blended photo to Jack Barham Collection at LSUS Archives and Special Collections.
In 1976, the very first Red River Revel kicked off, marking the beginning of a tradition in Downtown Shreveport. On that opening day, 25,000 people packed the downtown riverfront to be part of the inaugural celebration, and by the end of the event, 125,000 attendees had joined in on the fun!
Originally, the Revel was held right in the middle of Clyde Fant Parkway, but today, its home is Festival Plaza.
This year, the Revel is celebrating its 48th anniversary! While researching at Northwest Louisiana Archives at LSUS a few years ago Twin Blends found these photos from Revels past. These pieces of history remind us of how much the festival has become a part of Shreveport’s cultural fabric.
We’re excited to show our support for the Revel and encourage everyone to come out and experience this unique part of Shreveport’s history firsthand!
Click the image to see the full photo.
The American Telegraph Company stood at 518 Texas Street in downtown Shreveport. It was the first office building to exist in Shreveport. This building was demolished to make way for the Woolworth building. The Woolworth building has changed over the years, but 108 years later it still stands across from the courthouse, though it is in desperate need of a facelift. Read more about this history of 518 Texas and view more photos on Twin Blends page (linked here)
Photos courtesy Northwest Louisiana Archives at LSUS and Winston Conway Link Collection.
This week, we’re taking a trip down memory lane to remember Shreve Square.
In the first photo, you can catch a glimpse of some of the iconic buildings, including “The Spaghetti Store.” The next photo showcases a billboard advertisement inviting everyone to enjoy the fun and excitement that Shreve Square offered.
Small businesses were the draw for these shoppers on Shreveport Day in 1955. The photo on the left was taken in the 400 block of Texas!
Downtown Neon Saturday Night! In 1998 Neon Saturday was going into its 5th season. This was the first year the event was set up in a horseshoe style around the courthouse. Enjoy this glimpse into a piece of the downtown festival history. To view the full article, click on the blue button below.
____________________
The R.S. Barnwell Garden and Art Center, which opened in 1970, was a center for cultural activities for many years, offering art workshops, exhibitions, and events. It also featured a botanical conservatory with a variety of trees, flowers, and tropical plants, providing a space for public exploration and garden education. Now, years later, the Shreveport Aquarium calls this location home. Here are some photos from its earlier days.
_____________________
Electric streetcars replaced the mule-drawn cars that had operated since 1870. This photograph shows one of those earlier cars picking up a passenger at Texas and Spring Streets about 1875. Behind is M. Levy’s founded in 1857. The department store operated until 1984.
Scenes of America Shreveport: Eric J. Brock
_____________________
507 Milam – Rick’s Rings & Things
_____________________
This week Echoes of Downtown Shreveport showcases a special photo gallery featuring a collection of historical articles that cover the fascinating stories behind the naming of Shreveport’s city streets. Each street name carries a piece of the city’s rich heritage, reflecting the people, events, and cultural influences that have shaped Shreveport over the years. Join us on this journey through time and discover the historical significance behind the street names that contribute to the tapestry of Shreveport’s history. Whether you’re a longtime resident or a curious visitor, these stories will deepen your appreciation for the city’s unique identity and the legacy that continues to shape its future. Click each photo to enlarge the image.
_____________________
The Downtown memories shared by Jack S. brought back the memory of the fire that occurred late on Sunday, October 9, 1983. The three-alarm fire razed half a city block in the 400 block of Milam Street. The blaze, which injured three firefighters, destroyed several businesses including Big Ernie’s. For 20 years Big Ernie’s had been a gathering place for local politicos and candidates for office to talk politics among themselves and anyone else who wanted to eavesdrop. “It was pretty much a given if you wanted to hear what was going on around town, you’d go to The One-Arm Place for lunch.” The fire was one of the biggest that downtown had seen in years. The site is now the Pioneer parking lot at the NW corner of Milam and Edwards Streets.
Firefighters haul away the sign that had adorned Big Ernie’s Snack Shop
Downtown fire rages 5 hours in the 400 block of Milam St. Oct. 10, 1983.
_____________________
Commerce Street in the 1900s – looking north from Milam Street. “Although not taken until 1903, this photograph provides a sense of how Commerce Street appeared in the early years.” (Shreveport A Photographic Remembrance, Thomson Bailey and Patricia Meador).
_____________________
Pano’s Diner was located at 422 Milam Street for 38 years and was a gathering place for locals for early morning coffee breaks and lunch specials. Over the years owners Andrew and Chris Panos welcomef diners and became like friends as evidenced by Jacob T’s memory. The diner closed in 2013.
Photo credit 318 Forum.
_____________________
A beautiful message from someone who loved Miss Daisy Atkins in Pleasant Hill, La. Apparently working hard in downtown Shreveport.
Texas Street looking west. April 11, 1906
_____________________
The Marcus Building was built in 1902 and still stands at 711 Milam Street. This 1904 view shows the building as it originally appeared. When completed, this five-story building was the tallest privately owned structure in the city.
Downtown’s newest residential development, the Uneeda Biscuit Lofts is a “unique residential community designed specifically for artists in search of a space where they can create, collaborate, and thrive.” For leasing information call 318-383-0142 or visit www.uneedalofts.com
_____________________
The Shreve Memorial Library – Opened in 1923, the library at Edwards and Travis Streets was designed by local architect J.P. Annan to resemble an ancient Roman villa. In use as the central library until 1984, it is today home to the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce, organized in 1910 to promote business in the Shreveport-Bossier City metropolitan area. Seen here about 1930, a monument to the Caddo Parish soldiers and sailors of the Great War – World War 1 – was erected that year on the building’s grounds, though it is not yet there in this image. (Curt Teich) 
_____________________
The Marcus Building was built in 1902 and still stands at 711 Milam Street. This 1904 view shows the building as it originally appeared. When completed, this five-story building was the tallest privately owned structure in the city.
Photo Credit: Eric Brock
This historic building is now downtown’s newest residential development – Uneeda Biscuit Lofts, 711 Milam Street. The property had been vacant for years. Now it’s transformed into a “creative cultural community.” For information on how to become a resident, visit: https://www.uneedalofts.com/
_____________________
Cool photo of Shreveport Day in 1955 – 400 block of Texas Street, downtown Shreveport!
_____________________
The view above shows the Confederate Monument unveiled in 1906. In 1917, a large electrically lit US flag was hung from the corner of the tower at the level of the large arched window on the third floor. The photo below depicts the courthouse as seen from its Marshall Street side. In the background at far left is the Moorish-style Parish Jail, erected in 1907 on Milam at McNeil Streets. (Top card by Brown News Co. Bottom card Curt Teich).
