Interested in fun facts and the history of Shreveport, LA?
Then read on!
There are many interesting facts and historical events surrounding the area around Shreveport, Louisiana. Here are a few:
1. The name "Shreveport" comes from Henry Miller Shreve, a steamboat captain who helped clear the Red River of a massive log jam in 1839, making it navigable for the first time in years.
2. Shreveport was a major center for steamboat traffic on the Red River during the mid-19th century. Many businesses and plantations depended on the steamboats for transportation and commerce.
3. During the Civil War, Shreveport was a Confederate stronghold and served as the capital of Louisiana for a brief period in 1863.
4. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Shreveport became a booming center for the oil industry, thanks to the discovery of the large-scale oil fields in nearby Caddo Parish.
5. In 1929, the Southern Forest Experiment Station was established in Shreveport, which led to the development and growth of a thriving wood products industry in the area.
6. Over the years, Shreveport has been a hub for various forms of entertainment, including vaudeville shows, blues and jazz music, and major productions in film and television.
7. Louisiana State University Shreveport, founded in 1967, is a public university that has become a major center for higher education and research in the region.
