Karen M. remembering the Barnwell
Reading the memories about the Barnwell brought up some special memories for me.
When I got married in the mid 70’s, my pre-wedding pictures were taken in the Barnwell atrium. There were so many beautiful and exotic plants, and there was even a staircase so the train on my dress could be featured in the pictures. And even though the pictures were taken in the spring, it was still warm and humid in there, so we had to take frequent breaks to dab sweat and freshen my makeup! The last time our family was in the atrium was for a Christmas light display amongst the plants. The kids loved the lights at night!
My other memories of the Barnwell are from the early 80’s. The Red River Revel staff and volunteers worked out of the Barnwell, utilizing every square inch of that building. For instance, at that time all Revel food booths were run by local non-profits who had been selected based on their food offerings. All food purchases were made with Revel coupons, and volunteers would regularly collect the large amounts of coupons from the booths, and take them to the Barnwell to be “weighed” in order to determine how much money was owed to each non-profit group.
I’m glad the building is still in use and serving our City.
David W. remembers Downtown Neon Saturday Night
In the late 90s, the arts group downtown held the Downtown Neon Saturday Night street festival and my wife and I couldn’t wait to go. We attended every single one. Live music, dancing in the street, good food, artists. It was all so much fun. We hated to see the festival end. Downtown….let’s do it again!
Why was…why is… Downtown Shreveport distinctive to you? Please include your name, and any contact information. Please note that if we publish your memory, we will use just your first name only and assume that you give permission to use if you submit unless specified otherwise. Send to jlandry@downtownshreveport.com.
Jennifer S. remembers the Barnwell Art Center My memory doesn’t go as far back as some I’ve read here, but it’s just as special. I loved going to the Barnwell to see the art shows and to take art classes. It was the place to be to mingle with those who loved and supported the arts. It seems there was always something going on there. It was a fun and special place to hang out.
Why was…why is… Downtown Shreveport distinctive to you? Please include your name, and any contact information. Please note that if we publish your memory, we will use just your first name only and assume that you give permission to use if you submit unless specified otherwise. Send to jlandry@downtownshreveport.com.
David K remembers the trolley cars: My family used to come downtown when I was a kid in the 50s to go shopping. My mom and sisters would go to the clothing stores and my dad and I would go to Sears to look at tools. But what I liked most was the trolley cars and watching the sparks fly when the extended arms connected to the wires overhead at junctions. Fun memories.
Why was…why is… Downtown Shreveport distinctive to you? Please include your name, and any contact information. Please note that if we publish your memory, we will use just your first name only and assume that you give permission to use if you submit unless specified otherwise. Send to jlandry@downtownshreveport.com.
Linda P. remembers Ricks Rings & Things “In the late 70s I worked at Arkla Gas. We all lived for our lunch hour and would go as a group to eat, usually at Nanking’s, and then we’d go shopping. There were a few department stores on Milam that we liked, but one of the most fun places to shop was Ricks Rings & Things. They had all kinds of jewelry and unusual gifts. The store was owned by Katie and Eddie Sangid. We loved to go talk and gossip with them almost as much as shopping in the store. I still have things I bought there. Special things from the past, and memories of my first job and co-workers.
Why was…why is… Downtown Shreveport distinctive to you? Please include your name, and any contact information. Please note that if we publish your memory, we will use just your first name only and assume that you give permission to use if you submit unless specified otherwise. Send to jlandry@downtownshreveport.com.
Memories – Remembering Williams Music Store Doug P sends us this memory. “I used to play the clarinet in my high school band. I always had to come downtown to buy the reeds for my instrument. I had to go to Williams Music on Milam Street, and I loved going to that store and looking at all the instruments. Seems like somebody was always there who would play some instrument for me. It was a cool place to visit for a nerdy clarinet player.”
Why was…why is… Downtown Shreveport distinctive to you? Please include your name, and any contact information. Please note that if we publish your memory, we will use just your first name only and assume that you give permission to use if you submit unless specified otherwise. Send to jlandry@downtownshreveport.com.
More Downtown Memories: Special thanks to Jack S. for this one! “When I moved back to Shreveport in 1980, offices were open downtown on Saturdays at least until noon. I was in the Johnson Building at 412 Milam and Pano’s served until lunch on Saturdays for years after that. Big Ernie’s (the one-arm shop) was a one-room coffee/diner between the Johnson Building and Edwards Street. It was called one-arm because the chairs were the old school chairs with the writing area to use. Many downtowners gathered there and after 5:00 pm, some would gather at the Sportsman’s Lounge across the street…all that side of Milam was torn down for parking.” Jack S.
Why was…why is… Downtown Shreveport distinctive to you? Please include your name, and any contact information. Please note that if we publish your memory, we will use just your first name only and assume that you give permission to use if you submit unless specified otherwise. Send to jlandry@downtownshreveport.com.
Bill T. – Remembering the Drake Printing Company “I used to work at a business in downtown Shreveport. We always went to the Drake Printing Company on Texas Street for our printing needs. The owner was George Drake. He was always friendly and helpful. They did good work. It’s good to see that building now becoming part of 50 Cent’s downtown investment.” Historical Note: The Drake Company was established in 1921 by George’s father – Marlin Drake.
Anonymous – who wishes to remain so – sent us this memory. “Our families thought we were both crazy and I guess we were a little, but we got married (and still are) in 1993 on the Neon Bridge with a bunch of other couples. It was a New Year’s Eve to remember. We had only joked about doing it but then decided to jump in with the others. My old History teacher at Airline High School Tom Carleton was the Justice of the Peace who married us. We’re still hanging in there after all this time. What a night that was.”
Why was…why is… Downtown Shreveport distinctive to you? Please include your name, and any contact information. Please note that if we publish your memory, we will use just your first name only and assume that you give permission to use if you submit unless specified otherwise. Send to jlandry@downtownshreveport.com.
Sharon S. sent us this memory… I used to work at Arkla Gas in the 70s in the Slattery Building on the 11th floor. I remember the elevator had a person who manned it every single day. His name was “Shorty” and everybody loved him. Good memories of downtown.
Why was…why is… Downtown Shreveport distinctive to you? Please include your name, and any contact information. Please note that if we publish your memory, we will use just your first name only and assume that you give permission to use if you submit unless specified otherwise. Send to jlandry@downtownshreveport.com.
Kathy W. sent us this memory… The very first time I attended an event at the Municipal Auditorium was in 1949 at the first Cotillion Club’s gala. It was magical! I was so excited to see the Auditorium. As a kid the symphony was incredible, and the entire evening was unbelievable. I remember the night like it was yesterday,
Why was…why is… Downtown Shreveport distinctive to you? Please include your name, and any contact information. Please note that if we publish your memory, we will use just your first name only and assume that you give permission to use if you submit unless specified otherwise. Send to jlandry@downtownshreveport.com.
Karen M sent us this memory… I was excited to read Betsy L’s memory because one of my favorite downtown memories is similar. Every year a few weeks before Christmas, my parents would take my little sister and I to United Jewelers. It was so exciting to ride the elevator with the cage door and the sharply-dressed attendant. Our parents would put us on the elevator and send us up to the toy floor where we could roam and touch and imagine ourselves playing with the toys as much as we wanted to. We felt so grown up. When our parents finished their shopping, they would come to the toy floor and we would take them around and show them all the things we wanted Santa to bring us! Another great memory I have was as a young woman who began her career working downtown. At lunch I could walk one block over and shop at some of the best stores in town. I applied for and got my very first credit card from Rubenstein’s. It had a $200 limit and I thought I had really arrived!
Why was…why is… Downtown Shreveport distinctive to you? Please include your name, and any contact information. Please note that if we publish your memory, we will use just your first name only and assume that you give permission to use if you submit unless specified otherwise. Send to jlandry@downtownshreveport.com.
Anne B. sent us this memory… Shreve Square – that was the place to be for the best nightlife in Shreveport. My favorite band was A- Train. Favorite places to hang out were Humphries and the Sports Page. The Square was a good place for lunch too: Dietmar’s Restaurant, Seven Sisters, and the Spaghetti Store. So many good memories. I sure miss those days.
Why was…why is… Downtown Shreveport distinctive to you? Please include your name, and any contact information. Please note that if we publish your memory, we will use just your first name only and assume that you give permission to use if you submit unless specified otherwise. Send to jlandry@downtownshreveport.com.
Barbara B. sent us this memory. I used to work in the Texas Eastern building on Milam Street (Arkla Building). We loved going to lunch at Nanking Restaurant across the street. They had the best shrimp fried rice in town and the owners knew all regular customers by name. The food was really good, and back in the day it was the place to be at lunch in Downtown.
Why was…why is… Downtown Shreveport distinctive to you? Please include your name, and any contact information. Please note that if we publish your memory, we will use just your first name only and assume that you give permission to use if you submit unless specified otherwise. Send to jlandry@downtownshreveport.com.
Betsy L. sent this memory: Every year we would make a trip downtown for back-to-school clothes. We had to dress up back then to go shopping, and for me that meant a dress (ugh). We always made the rounds to the big stores–especially Selbers and Rubensteins. The real treat, though, was United Jewelers, which had a whole floor of toys! We would also look at the silver coffee services and serving dishes and candlesticks, and maybe pick out an item or two for the house. That elevator was magical, with the cage that closed on it and there was an elevator attendant to push the buttons. This trip sadly became less regular when Pierremont Mall and Shreve City Shopping Center gained traction. Shreve City Shopping Center was the biggest shopping center in Louisiana for many years. Thank you for the memory, Betsy. Why was…why is… Downtown Shreveport distinctive to you? Please include your name, and any contact information. Please note that if we publish your memory, we will use just your first name only and assume that you give permission to use if you submit unless specified otherwise. Send to jlandry@downtownshreveport.com.
Tommy T. said, “Downtown used to be the place to make oil and gas deals. Most players in the industry had a presence in downtown Shreveport, and you could walk down Texas Street and run into VIPs on just about every corner. And then afterwards head to the University Club for lunch. Those were good days for downtown Shreveport.”
Brian D. remembers “having dinner at Chelsea’s (now Blind Tiger) and listening to Mikki and Jimmy Hunnicutt and great bands in the Sports Page and Circle in the Square (Shreve Square). Fun times!” Lots of memories. Thank you Brian!
If you have a special memory or story about downtown Shreveport – from any time/year/event, etc. – please share it with us. We would like to include your moment in a future edition of eBlast along with any photo you may have that shapes the memorable event. Why was…why is… Downtown Shreveport distinctive to you? Please include your name, and any contact information. Please note that if we publish your memory, we will use just your first name only and assume that you give permission to use if you submit unless specified otherwise. Send to jlandry@downtownshreveport.com.
Suzanne sent in this memory: “My dad used to take my sister and me on a trolley ride to the courthouse in the fall and spring to feed the squirrels and pigeons peanuts. I was about 5 or 6 years old at the time. It was fun to ride the trolley and watch the courthouse animals come to us for the peanuts. I remember the benches at the courthouse and sitting there under the big trees and people watching at that young age. I will be glad to see the downtown area revitalize and be a center of social, commercial, and cultural life of our hometown!”
Anonymous sent this: “I remember riding the bus with my older sister downtown to Woolworth on Texas Street. We loved to sit at the counter and have a hamburger and coke. My feet dangled because the counter and stools were high. It was loud in the diner but so exciting.”
If you have a special memory or story about downtown Shreveport – from any time/year/event, etc. – please share it with us. We would like to include your moment in a future edition of eBlast along with any photo you may have that shapes the memorable event. Why was…why is… Downtown Shreveport distinctive to you? Please include your name, and any contact information. Please note that if we publish your memory, we will use just your first name only and assume that you give permission to use if you submit unless specified otherwise. Send to jlandry@downtownshreveport.com.
Why was…why is… Downtown Shreveport distinctive to you? Please include your name, and any contact information. Please note that if we publish your memory, we will use just your first name only and assume that you give permission to use if you submit unless specified otherwise. Send to jlandry@downtownshreveport.com.
Jennifer S. remembers the Barnwell Art Center My memory doesn’t go as far back as some I’ve read here, but it’s just as special. I loved going to the Barnwell to see the art shows and to take art classes. It was the place to be to mingle with those who loved and supported the arts. It seems there was always something going on there. It was a fun and special place to hang out.
Why was…why is… Downtown Shreveport distinctive to you? Please include your name, and any contact information. Please note that if we publish your memory, we will use just your first name only and assume that you give permission to use if you submit unless specified otherwise. Send to jlandry@downtownshreveport.com.
David K remembers the trolley cars: My family used to come downtown when I was a kid in the 50s to go shopping. My mom and sisters would go to the clothing stores and my dad and I would go to Sears to look at tools. But what I liked most was the trolley cars and watching the sparks fly when the extended arms connected to the wires overhead at junctions. Fun memories.
Why was…why is… Downtown Shreveport distinctive to you? Please include your name, and any contact information. Please note that if we publish your memory, we will use just your first name only and assume that you give permission to use if you submit unless specified otherwise. Send to jlandry@downtownshreveport.com.
Linda P. remembers Ricks Rings & Things “In the late 70s I worked at Arkla Gas. We all lived for our lunch hour and would go as a group to eat, usually at Nanking’s, and then we’d go shopping. There were a few department stores on Milam that we liked, but one of the most fun places to shop was Ricks Rings & Things. They had all kinds of jewelry and unusual gifts. The store was owned by Katie and Eddie Sangid. We loved to go talk and gossip with them almost as much as shopping in the store. I still have things I bought there. Special things from the past, and memories of my first job and co-workers.
Why was…why is… Downtown Shreveport distinctive to you? Please include your name, and any contact information. Please note that if we publish your memory, we will use just your first name only and assume that you give permission to use if you submit unless specified otherwise. Send to jlandry@downtownshreveport.com.
Memories – Remembering Williams Music Store Doug P sends us this memory. “I used to play the clarinet in my high school band. I always had to come downtown to buy the reeds for my instrument. I had to go to Williams Music on Milam Street, and I loved going to that store and looking at all the instruments. Seems like somebody was always there who would play some instrument for me. It was a cool place to visit for a nerdy clarinet player.”
Why was…why is… Downtown Shreveport distinctive to you? Please include your name, and any contact information. Please note that if we publish your memory, we will use just your first name only and assume that you give permission to use if you submit unless specified otherwise. Send to jlandry@downtownshreveport.com.
More Downtown Memories: Special thanks to Jack S. for this one! “When I moved back to Shreveport in 1980, offices were open downtown on Saturdays at least until noon. I was in the Johnson Building at 412 Milam and Pano’s served until lunch on Saturdays for years after that. Big Ernie’s (the one-arm shop) was a one-room coffee/diner between the Johnson Building and Edwards Street. It was called one-arm because the chairs were the old school chairs with the writing area to use. Many downtowners gathered there and after 5:00 pm, some would gather at the Sportsman’s Lounge across the street…all that side of Milam was torn down for parking.” Jack S.
Why was…why is… Downtown Shreveport distinctive to you? Please include your name, and any contact information. Please note that if we publish your memory, we will use just your first name only and assume that you give permission to use if you submit unless specified otherwise. Send to jlandry@downtownshreveport.com.
Bill T. – Remembering the Drake Printing Company “I used to work at a business in downtown Shreveport. We always went to the Drake Printing Company on Texas Street for our printing needs. The owner was George Drake. He was always friendly and helpful. They did good work. It’s good to see that building now becoming part of 50 Cent’s downtown investment.” Historical Note: The Drake Company was established in 1921 by George’s father – Marlin Drake.
Jacob T. sends us this memory:
“The old Pano’s Diner on Milam Street was a favorite place to have coffee and lunch. I worked at Arkla Gas and went there almost every day for years. Loved their plate lunches. The owners were like friends of ours.”
Photo credit 318 Forum.
Why was…why is… Downtown Shreveport distinctive to you? Please include your name, and any contact information. Please note that if we publish your memory, we will use just your first name only and assume that you give permission to use if you submit unless specified otherwise. Send to jlandry@downtownshreveport.com.
Anonymous – who wishes to remain so – sent us this memory. “Our families thought we were both crazy and I guess we were a little, but we got married (and still are) in 1993 on the Neon Bridge with a bunch of other couples. It was a New Year’s Eve to remember. We had only joked about doing it but then decided to jump in with the others. My old History teacher at Airline High School Tom Carleton was the Justice of the Peace who married us. We’re still hanging in there after all this time. What a night that was.”
Why was…why is… Downtown Shreveport distinctive to you? Please include your name, and any contact information. Please note that if we publish your memory, we will use just your first name only and assume that you give permission to use if you submit unless specified otherwise. Send to jlandry@downtownshreveport.com.
Sharon S. sent us this memory… I used to work at Arkla Gas in the 70s in the Slattery Building on the 11th floor. I remember the elevator had a person who manned it every single day. His name was “Shorty” and everybody loved him. Good memories of downtown.
Why was…why is… Downtown Shreveport distinctive to you? Please include your name, and any contact information. Please note that if we publish your memory, we will use just your first name only and assume that you give permission to use if you submit unless specified otherwise. Send to jlandry@downtownshreveport.com.
Kathy W. sent us this memory… The very first time I attended an event at the Municipal Auditorium was in 1949 at the first Cotillion Club’s gala. It was magical! I was so excited to see the Auditorium. As a kid the symphony was incredible, and the entire evening was unbelievable. I remember the night like it was yesterday,
Why was…why is… Downtown Shreveport distinctive to you? Please include your name, and any contact information. Please note that if we publish your memory, we will use just your first name only and assume that you give permission to use if you submit unless specified otherwise. Send to jlandry@downtownshreveport.com.
Karen M sent us this memory… I was excited to read Betsy L’s memory because one of my favorite downtown memories is similar. Every year a few weeks before Christmas, my parents would take my little sister and I to United Jewelers. It was so exciting to ride the elevator with the cage door and the sharply-dressed attendant. Our parents would put us on the elevator and send us up to the toy floor where we could roam and touch and imagine ourselves playing with the toys as much as we wanted to. We felt so grown up. When our parents finished their shopping, they would come to the toy floor and we would take them around and show them all the things we wanted Santa to bring us! Another great memory I have was as a young woman who began her career working downtown. At lunch I could walk one block over and shop at some of the best stores in town. I applied for and got my very first credit card from Rubenstein’s. It had a $200 limit and I thought I had really arrived!
Why was…why is… Downtown Shreveport distinctive to you? Please include your name, and any contact information. Please note that if we publish your memory, we will use just your first name only and assume that you give permission to use if you submit unless specified otherwise. Send to jlandry@downtownshreveport.com.
Anne B. sent us this memory… Shreve Square – that was the place to be for the best nightlife in Shreveport. My favorite band was A- Train. Favorite places to hang out were Humphries and the Sports Page. The Square was a good place for lunch too: Dietmar’s Restaurant, Seven Sisters, and the Spaghetti Store. So many good memories. I sure miss those days.
Why was…why is… Downtown Shreveport distinctive to you? Please include your name, and any contact information. Please note that if we publish your memory, we will use just your first name only and assume that you give permission to use if you submit unless specified otherwise. Send to jlandry@downtownshreveport.com.
Barbara B. sent us this memory. I used to work in the Texas Eastern building on Milam Street (Arkla Building). We loved going to lunch at Nanking Restaurant across the street. They had the best shrimp fried rice in town and the owners knew all regular customers by name. The food was really good, and back in the day it was the place to be at lunch in Downtown.
Nanking Restaurant. Photo credit: Twin Blends: Northwest Louisiana History Hunters
Allison T. remembers this: My family always enjoyed going downtown to watch parades. We loved the Christmas parade and of course getting to see Santa Claus at the end. The parade was huge, and it seemed to me as a little girl that there were millions of people on the streets. It was actually probably hundreds or maybe thousands. But everyone had such fun. There were marching bands, baton twirlers, beauty queens, lighted floats, and so many other things. Downtown was a wonderful place to be at Christmas in the 1950s. As most of my family is now gone, downtown at Christmas are memories I’ll always treasure.
Downtown Christmas Parade, 1954. Photo courtesy Twin Blends Northwest Louisiana History Hunters.
Betsy L. sent this memory: Every year we would make a trip downtown for back-to-school clothes. We had to dress up back then to go shopping, and for me that meant a dress (ugh). We always made the rounds to the big stores–especially Selbers and Rubensteins. The real treat, though, was United Jewelers, which had a whole floor of toys! We would also look at the silver coffee services and serving dishes and candlesticks, and maybe pick out an item or two for the house. That elevator was magical, with the cage that closed on it and there was an elevator attendant to push the buttons. This trip sadly became less regular when Pierremont Mall and Shreve City Shopping Center gained traction. Shreve City Shopping Center was the biggest shopping center in Louisiana for many years. Thank you for the memory, Betsy. Why was…why is… Downtown Shreveport distinctive to you? Please include your name, and any contact information. Please note that if we publish your memory, we will use just your first name only and assume that you give permission to use if you submit unless specified otherwise. Send to jlandry@downtownshreveport.com.
Tommy T. said, “Downtown used to be the place to make oil and gas deals. Most players in the industry had a presence in downtown Shreveport, and you could walk down Texas Street and run into VIPs on just about every corner. And then afterwards head to the University Club for lunch. Those were good days for downtown Shreveport.”
Brian D. remembers “having dinner at Chelsea’s (now Blind Tiger) and listening to Mikki and Jimmy Hunnicutt and great bands in the Sports Page and Circle in the Square (Shreve Square). Fun times!” Lots of memories. Thank you Brian!
If you have a special memory or story about downtown Shreveport – from any time/year/event, etc. – please share it with us. We would like to include your moment in a future edition of eBlast along with any photo you may have that shapes the memorable event. Why was…why is… Downtown Shreveport distinctive to you? Please include your name, and any contact information. Please note that if we publish your memory, we will use just your first name only and assume that you give permission to use if you submit unless specified otherwise. Send to jlandry@downtownshreveport.com.
Suzanne sent in this memory: “My dad used to take my sister and me on a trolley ride to the courthouse in the fall and spring to feed the squirrels and pigeons peanuts. I was about 5 or 6 years old at the time. It was fun to ride the trolley and watch the courthouse animals come to us for the peanuts. I remember the benches at the courthouse and sitting there under the big trees and people watching at that young age. I will be glad to see the downtown area revitalize and be a center of social, commercial, and cultural life of our hometown!”
Caddo Parish Courthouse, 1942
This early 1930s photo from the book “Scenes of America, Shreveport” by Eric Brock shows the Broadmoor & Highland line trolleys in the 400 block of Texas Street.
Woolworth Co., Downtown Shreveport. Photo courtesy of Twin Blends: Northwest Louisiana History Hunters
