Founded in the early 1980s, Sci-Port: Louisiana's Science Center is a science, math and technology museum located along the Red River in downtown Shreveport. The 92,000 square foot facility contains over 290 exhibits, the world's first open-access, interactive laser Space Dome Planetarium, a demonstration theater, and an IMAX Dome theater. It has received over two million visitors since it moved to its current location in 1998.
The Spring Street Historical Museum is located in one of the oldest remaining buildings and in downtown Shreveport, Louisiana. The museum is dedicated towards preserving the history of Shreveport from the 18th and 19th centuries. It offers permanent and revolving exhibits. Its collection includes vintage clothing dating to 1835, toys, firearms, swords, photographs, antique maps, period furniture, and plantation records. She floor features an exhibit that recreates a Victorian parlor in the 1870s-1880s. The museum is operated by the Shreveport Committee of the National Society of Colonial Dames.
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Erected in 1899, Holy Trinity Catholic Church is one of the state's finest and most elaborate examples of Romanesque Revival ecclesiastical architecture (there are also some Gothic elements as well). It is the third church built for the congregation, which was established in 1856. The church features a number of notable design elements including a red brick and terra-cotta facade, two free-standing round towers with conical tops, arches, four large rose windows (there are 60 stained glass windows in all), and buttresses attached to the towers. As for the interior, it features a Byzantine-Romanesque main altar built in 1912, decorative interior paintwork, and a 55-foot dome.
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Now the Main Library of the Shreveport library system, the former United States Post Office and Courthouse is significant for its architecture and association with the federal government. It was built in 1912 and designed by James Knox Taylor (1857-1912), who was Supervising Architect of the Treasury Department from 1897-1912, in the Italian Renaissance style. A fourth floor was added in 1931 under the direction of Acting Supervising Architect James A. Wetmore (1863-1940), who was not a trained architect but rather oversaw a large staff of architects who designed federal buildings. The building features arched windows, a stuccoed brick and limestone facade, strong horizontal lines, terra cotta window trim, and other decorative elements. Although it's no longer a federal building today, it is reminder of the important role the federal government has played in Shreveport's history.
This Caddo Parish Confederate Monument was funded by the local United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC) and dedicated in 1906. The monument features a large central pillar with a Confederate soldier atop. A depiction of Clio, the muse of history, stands as the pillar's base, and the pillar is surrounded by busts of Confederate leaders Robert E. Lee, Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, P.G.T. Beauregard, and Henry W. Allen. The monument and its dedication highlight aspects of "Lost Cause" ideology, which dismisses slavery as the Civil War's cause and lionizes Confederate soldiers and leaders. In 2020, following a long legal process, Caddo Parish and the UDC agreed to remove the monument to private land on a nearby battlefield.
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The Downtown Shreveport YMCA is a historic building erected in 1925 that is significant for its unique Italian Renaissance architecture and its association with the YMCA. Designed by architect Clarence W. King, the building resembles the Villa Medici in Rome, Italy. The building's most interesting and recognizable features are the twin bell towers on the roof. Other notable features include arched openings, some of which have double windows; a triple-arched entrance with Corinthian columns and the YMCA emblem; a rooftop balustrade; and blue and gold terra cotta decoration. Inside, the central lobby features a vaulted ceiling, an Italian hooded fireplace in an adjoining room, two gymnasiums, and a basement indoor pool with decorative tilework. The YMCA has occupied the building since its construction, providing the community a space for recreation, educational development, and socializing for nearly a century.
Located in downtown Shreveport, the Southern University Museum of Art is the only museum in northern Louisiana dedicated to preserving and promoting art of the African and African American diaspora. It was established in 2002 in large part by Dr. Leon Tarver II, President Emeritus of the university and is the sister museum of the Southern University Museum of Art in Baton Rouge, which Tarver founded in 2001. The museum features permanent, special and traveling exhibits.
The Strand Theatre was officially constructed in 1925. The theatre was founded as a result of the Saenger company’s desire to compete in the booming film industry. While the Strand’s original motivations for being created have evolved over time, switching from an emphasis on film to an emphasis on performing arts, the theatre has maintained a good rapport with the people of Shreveport, Louisiana.
Built in the 1929 and designed by architect Samuel Weiner, the Shreveport Municipal Auditorium is one of the city's most important landmarks. It is so significant, in fact, that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a National Historic Landmark. Its significance lies in its its Modernistic architecture and for the role it played in popularizing and shaping country music. In terms of architecture, the building features an elaborate decorative brick and limestone exterior. Notable interior decorative elements include bas-relief panels and an Egyptian-styled entrance opening to the lobby. The auditorium has over 3000 seats and features a decorative ceiling. As for the building's association with American music, it was here that many famous talented American artists got there start—including stars such as Elvis Presley, Hank Williams, and Johnny Cash—on a radio show called "Louisiana Hayride," which ran from 1948-1960. Many of these artists would go on to perform at the Grand Ole Opry show in Nashville, Tennessee. In this way, the show served as a springboard to stardom and it became known as the "cradle of the stars." Today, the auditorium remains a vibrant entertainment venue. the building was dedicated to the soldiers of World War I on Veterans’ Day, which was known at that time as Armistice Day. In its early years, the auditorium played host to the military by serving as barracks for the troops and housing the early aircraft warning system known today as radar. In terms of architecture, the building
The Logan Mansion is one of Shreveport's finest examples of Queen Anne architecture. It was built in 1897 by its namesake, Lafayette R. Logan, who was a prominent local beer distributor and ice manufacturer. The architect who designed it was Nathaniel Sykes. The exterior house features decorative woodwork and a large porch, among other notable elements. The interior is even more impressive; it features ornate woodwork, stained and beveled glass, a grand mahogany staircase, large rooms, hand-laid geometric wood floors, and antique furnishings. The house is currently privately owned but is also an Airbnb, offering guests the opportunity to stay in a historic residence.
Antioch Baptist Church is the home of Shreveport’s oldest African American congregation.
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Erected in 1905, the Church of the Holy Cross is an interesting and striking example of Gothic Revival architecture. It was originally known as St. Mark's Episcopal Church before becoming Church of the Holy Cross (an Episcopalian congregation) in 1954. The church, which is two stories tall with a three-story bell tower, was built with red brick and resembles an English parish church. Notable features include a French rose window, lancet arches, stained glass windows, decorative brickwork, and crenelation (on the bell tower and chapel behind it) that gives the building a castle-like appearance. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991.
B'Nai Zion Temple is one of the more beautiful and recognizable landmarks in Shreveport. Constructed in 1915, the temple is a rare and excellent example of Beaux-Arts architecture which was popular around the country in the early 20th century. The three-story building features a large portico with Corinthian columns at the main entrance, the Star of David inscribed above the entrance, and two-story stained glass windows. The interior features an elaborate design and large worship space. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997.
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Now home to the Shreveport Regional Arts Council, the former Central Fire Station is one of the many architecturally significant buildings in downtown Shreveport. Built in 1922, it was designed by Clarence W. King in the Beaux-Arts and Italian Renaissance styles. It features a number of decorative elements including roof resembling those found on Italian Renaissance palaces; bas relief panels depicting urns, griffins, and shields; several cartouches; large recessed windows and doors; and owl sculptures on the roof at each corner. Next to the building stands a five-story tall hose-drying tower, which was also built in 1922, and a large dalmatian dog sculpture.
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Designed by architect Edward F. Neild, the Scottish Rite Temple is one of downtown Shreveport's most impressive landmarks. It was built in 1917 and is a fine and fully developed example of Beaux-Arts architecture. The building appears to be two-stories tall but it has a basement and third-story mezzanine. It features numerous decorative elements including an elaborate front entrance with large Corinthian columns. The interior features a large auditorium, library, a banquet hall, and a matching marble staircases. Neild was a Scottish Rite freemason, a prominent architect, and a friend of President Harry Truman for many years. Truman was impressed with Neild's work and commissioned him to design the Jackson County Courthouse in Missouri and also major renovations of the White House (Truman also commissioned Neild to design the plans for the Truman Memorial Library but Neild passed away before he was finished). The Temple is available to rent for weddings and other events.
Central Railroad Station is a historic passenger train depot built in 1910 by the Louisiana and Arkansas Railroad. The station was designed combining the Spanish Mission and Italian Renaissance style and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991. Notable features include a square tower, an entrance pavilion with a large arch, awnings attached to the exterior wall, and a red tile roof. In addition to its architectural importance, the station serves as a reminder of the important role railroading once played in Shreveport's history. In fact, little remains of the city's railroading history, which adds to Central Station's historical significance. Today, Central Station is home to a nightclub.
This Tour is a Walking Tour.
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This walking tour makes a loop through downtown Shrevport and includes landmarks such as the Strand Theatre and Logan Mansion and museums dedicated to history, art, and science.
