SHREVEPORT, LA — There are moments in a city’s life when history comes into sharp focus — when the weight of the past meets the hope of the future in a single afternoon. That moment came on July 1st as the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce filled with civic leaders, longtime residents, and downtown champions and gathered inside the historic building for Celebrate Downtown Legacy, an event honoring 190 years since the founding of Shreveport and the men, women, and institutions who have shaped it.
Hosted by the Shreveport Downtown Development Authority (DDA), the event marked three major milestones: the 190th anniversary of the Caddo Treaty, the 40th anniversary of the 1985 Sesquicentennial celebration, and the official launch of the 10-year countdown to Shreveport’s 200th birthday in 2035. The celebration also honored long-time downtown businesses and employees, and paid tribute to a Shreveport leader.
“This was more than a ceremony,” said Cedric B. Glover, Executive Director of the Shreveport DDA. “To see generations come together in a historic space, to honor those who’ve poured so much into this city, and to witness the standing ovation for Mayor Hussey — it reminded us all what community really means. Shreveport’s legacy is alive because its people still care.”
A Building That’s Seen It All
The choice of location was fitting. The Greater Shreveport Chamber building itself has been a cornerstone of civic progress since its construction over a century ago. Its walls have witnessed the evolution of a city, and on this day, it became the stage for a powerful reflection on legacy.
Cedric B. Glover, Executive Director of the DDA, opened the program with a call of remembrance of Downtown Shreveport before introducing the hosts for the evening.
“They’re twin brothers, best friends, and proud sons of South Shreveport whose love for local history has become their life’s work. Through old photographs and deep research, they bring our city’s past to life in ways that are both engaging and unforgettable. Mark and Mike Mangham — better known as Twin Blends.”
Mark and Mike Mangham are known for their passion for local history and their preservation efforts through Twin Blends Photography. Their deep appreciation and passion for the city’s past could be seen as they guided the attendees through each segment of the program, connecting historical milestones with the present.
Institutions of Endurance
The Downtown Legacy Awards honored foundational institutions that have shaped Downtown Shreveport’s identity through faith, service, commerce, and civic engagement and are the oldest institutions still open today. Those honored:
- Church Legacy Award: First Methodist Church, First Methodist Church has been a member of the downtown Shreveport neighborhood since 1845.
- Government Award: Caddo Parish Government, whose structure and leadership continue to serve the community after more than 180 years.
- Organization Award: The YMCA of Northwest Louisiana, which began in the 1860s and continues to foster community well-being.
- Business Award: Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO), an anchor of industry in downtown since 1912.
Representatives from each organization accepted their awards with pride, underscoring their continued commitment to Shreveport and downtown’s future.
Two Lives of Devotion
Two individuals were honored for their unmatched dedication to downtown life — John T. Cox Jr., a legal pillar at Blanchard, Walker, O’Quin & Roberts, who has practiced law downtown for 55 years, and Dr. Will K. Andress, who has served First Methodist Church through music and arts leadership for more than five decades.
Their stories reminded attendees that the soul of downtown is found in its people — those who show up day after day, decade after decade, shaping its culture and character with their presences and contribution to the city center.
Century-Strong Commitments
The program also recognized eight downtown institutions that have served the community for over 100 years through their location in downtown Shreveport. Each honoree represented the endurance and civic pride that has allowed downtown to remain a vital thread in Shreveport’s story. The businesses that were honored:
- Holy Trinity Catholic Church – located in downtown Shreveport since 1858.
- Holy Cross Episcopal Church – a downtown presence since 1861.
- Antioch Baptist Church – has been a member of the downtown neighborhood since 1866.
- Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce – a downtown anchor since 1910
- Cook, Yancy, King & Galloway – located in downtown Shreveport since 1914
- Querbes & Nelson Insurance – A downtown business since 1914,
- Scottish Rite Cathedral – has stood proudly in downtown Shreveport since its completion in 1917.
- Blanchard, Walker, O’Quin & Roberts – A member of the community since 1917.
A Moment That Moved the Room
But it was the final award — the Grand Honoree Recognition — that brought the room to its feet.
Former Mayor John B. Hussey, who served from 1982 to 1990, was honored for his visionary leadership and tireless advocacy during one of Shreveport’s most transformative periods. It was under Hussey’s direction that the city hosted its 1985 Sesquicentennial – an eleven-month celebration that united citizens and reignited civic pride.
When his name was called, the room rose as one. The applause was full of admiration. Many wiped away tears. Others simply stood still, reflecting on a mayor who has given so much of himself to his city.
Remarks from Judy Williams, Scott Hughes, and former Bossier City Mayor Don E. Jones offered both warmth and humor, recalling Hussey’s collaborative spirit, quiet strength, and unwavering commitment to making Shreveport a better place for all. Current Mayor Tom Arceneaux expressed his memories with Mayor Hussey and referred to him as his mentor. Mayor Arceneaux then presented the official City Proclamation honoring Mayor Hussey, while Parish leaders also presented a proclamation delivered by Commission President Stormy Gage-Watts and District 3 Commissioner Victor Thomas.
A Reception of Reflection
Following the formal program, attendees gathered in the Chamber’s foyer that was filled with conversation, laughter, and stories shared across generations. Honey Boo’s Catering provided a delicious table of hors d’oeuvres.
There was a sense in the air — not just of nostalgia, but of continuity. Of legacy not as something finished, but something passed down.
As Shreveport begins its 10-year march toward its 200th anniversary, Celebrate Downtown Legacy serves as a powerful reminder: history lives not in monuments or documents, but in people — those who serve, preserve, and believe.
