One of the buildings that was around during the horror of Shreveport’s 1873 Yellow Fever Epidemic was the setting for the press event officially announcing the Yellow Fever 150 Year Commemoration this week. In the 1870’s, the current Spring Street Museum at 525 Spring Street was a bank.
525 Spring Street in the 1800s.
Today, it survives to help tell the tale of that terrible three month period in which 25% of the population of Shreveport perished.
Historian Dr. Cheryl White talking about the commemoration.
Plans are well underway for the 150th anniversary commemoration of that turning point in Shreveport’s history.
Beginning October 1, the City of Shreveport will be remembering this time in our history with Masses, musical performances, a symposium, a Victorian dinner, and the public dedication of the Yellow Fever Mass Grave Memorial at Oakland Cemetery, the site of the mass burial site.
Many of the events planned from Sept. 16 through Nov. 19 will be free and open to the public, some will be ticketed events. All will be a fascinating glimpse into 1873 in Shreveport, our history and heroes.
Here is the Yellow Fever Anniversary Facebook page.
The Yellow Fever Commemoration Website.
Tickets for The Merciful Frost Victorian Dinner on Nov. 19.
