Hidden History II: Downtown Shreveport’s Railroad Past

A Train Ride Into Shreveport’s Past- Join Us for Some Hidden History

Did you know that in the period from the early to mid-1900s, downtown Shreveport was home to three passenger train terminals? Most cities our size were home to one…if they were lucky. In addition to the three downtown passenger stops, there was a freight terminal, an “A” frame bridge that is one of only two in the country, and so many hotels and boarding houses built for train passengers you couldn’t throw a conductor’s cap without hitting one.

You could say (and be completely truthful) that the railroads help build downtown Shreveport.

On Saturday, May 11, the Downtown Development Authority plans to share those stories on a tour called Hidden History II: Downtown’s Railroad Past. The tours, which start at noon from artspace, 710 Texas, and will leave on the quarter-hour, will show what life was like during downtown’s rail heyday. You’ll find out about the stations that transported thousands and the infrastructure that supported them… and along the way, you may even meet some ghosts of railroading’s past. At the end of the tour, you’ll be driven to Shreveport’s new Railroad Museum where there will be vendors, stories, live music, food and trains both large and small.

At 3:30pm, we will be joined by dignitaries for the official ribbon-cutting of the Railroad Museum, a project 32 years in the making. It is rumored that someone looking like Arlo Guthrie might be there, too.

If you’ve ever been interested in trains, love history or are interested in how downtown came to be what it is today, you’ll love this tour. May is Historic Preservation Month and May 11 is National Train Day, two happy coincidences that make our tour all the more timely!

Reservations are STRONGLY suggested. Tour times are first-come, first-served and those with reservations will be given seats before walk-ups.

To reserve a $5 ticket online, go to:

www.downtownshreveport.com, or call 318-222-7403.

Tours are at: noon, 12:15, 12:30, 1:00, 1:15, 1:30, 2:00, 2:15, 2:30 and 3:00 and 3:15.

Strollers are not allowed on the minibuses (no room) and the transportation is not handicapped-accessible.