Bossier Chamber of Commerce in 1949-50

The following article highlighting in the past accomplishments of the Bossier Chamber of Commerce appeared in the Bossier Press Tribune:

Written by Ann Middleton
Wednesday, 23 December 2009

Numerous city issues were addressed by the Bossier Chamber of Commerce in 1949 and 1950. All the Chamber activities were directed toward improving the community's resources and advantages and increasing Bossier's inducements for home seekers and investors.

The Chamber had cooperated with the Federal Census in 1950. That census enumeration showed more than 15,000 people in Bossier City and 10,000 additional people in Bossier City's suburban areas. This count reflected a phenomenal increase in population. (The 2000 census for Bossier City indicated a population of 56, 461.) With the 2010 census approaching, it will be interesting to note what will undoubtedly be another increase in Bossier City's population.

Another issue with which the Chamber was dealing at the turn of the 1940 decade was the widening of Highway 71 from Old Minden Road to the west gate of (then) Barksdale Air Base. The $384,000 project was to be paid for by state and federal governments but the expected donation by property owners of a 15-foot strip for parking, neutral ground and a sidewalk was not immediately forthcoming. Later plans proposed a four-lane highway without the 15-foot right-of-way. In more recent years, this stretch of highway has been in the news because of environmental issues brought about by the oil storage tanks at the old CITGO Refinery in the area. As late as November 2009 contamination clean-up reports were being issued by the Environmental Protection Agency for the site.

In 1949 a "Maid of Cotton" contest was sponsored by the Bossier Chamber. Also in that year the Chamber assured that Bossier City would have representation equal to that of Shreveport in the next directory of the Southern Bell Telephone Company. The front cover of the directory would feature the words "Shreveport and Bossier City" in the same sized type, with the same information appearing on the inside directory pages. Earlier directories had shown only Shreveport on the cover and inside pages. Improved phone service was also a promise to all Bossier Parish residents.

1950 issues faced by the Chamber included synchronization of traffic lights, the construction of three fire stations, the opening of Palmetto Country Club, construction of a hotel in Bossier City, additional street lights for Bossier City, and the construction of a new drive-in theatre at a cost of $125,000. The same year continued busy as the Chamber addressed street pavings, the widening of Highway 80, better garbage collection and the purchase of a street cleaning machine.

Not to be forgotten was the annual yuletide tree party sponsored by the Chamber, at which Santa would distribute gifts to all the children present.

The Bossier Chamber of Commerce scrapbooks at the Bossier Parish Library Historical Center provide an interesting picture of the growth of Bossier City and the part that the Chamber has played in it.

Ann Middleton is the Director of the Bossier Historical Center. She may be reached via email at amiddlet@state.lib.la.us.