Bossier Parish Libraries History Center

05/28/2026

Thank you KTBS 3 for covering our May meeting of our World War II's Day discussion series. May is Jewish American Heritage Month and we were so pleased to have Rabbi Jana De Benedetti of Shreveport's B'nai Zion Congregation speak about the Holocaust Torah scroll that's been a part of B'nai Zion since after the end of WWII. That's when B'nai Zion's Rabbi David Lefkowitz Jr. was gifted the scroll, which had been hidden from N***s in the Bavarian village of Bad Neustadt, Germany, to take to his congregation in north Louisiana after he served as a chaplain in Bavaria for the US Army Air Corps. We were honored to also be joined, via Zoom, by Dr. Helen L. Horowitz, Sydenham Clark Parsons Professor Emerita of History and Professor Emerita of American Studies at Smith College in MA.

BOSSIER CITY, La. - The Ark-La-Tex is celebrating Jewish American Heritage Month with a special viewing of a sacred Torah scroll that survived the Holocaust.

05/27/2026

In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, this week’s article features Ben Kuroki, a Japanese American from Nebraska who fought to serve his country during World War II. Initially assigned as a clerk-typist at Barksdale Field, Kuroki’s persistence led him to the Eighth Air Force in England. There, he transitioned from administrative duties to mastering the .50-caliber machine guns of a B-24 Liberator, setting the stage for his legendary career as a combat gunner.

To learn more about Kuroki’s journey, click on the provided link: https://bpl-hc.blogspot.com/2026/05/ben-kuroki-all-american-war-hero-part-1.html

05/26/2026

05/20/2026

Before Henry Ford became a household name, a local entrepreneur in Plain Dealing was ready to give him a run for his money!

Check out the fascinating story of J. H. James, the man who pivoted from a sawmill owner to an automotive pioneer right here in Bossier Parish

To read more, click on the provided link: https://bpl-hc.blogspot.com/2026/05/j-h-james-local-businessman-and-car.html

05/13/2026

Do you know Bossier City’s Slogan?

This week’s article explores Bossier City’s long-standing effort to define itself through various catchphrases as it transitioned from a small town to a bustling city. From the 1928 winning entry “Bossier, City of the Hour” to the 1950s nod to Barksdale Air Force Base, “Next Door Neighbor to World’s Largest Air Base,” the city has frequently updated its brand to reflect its growth and community pride.

Click on the provided link to learn more about the history of Bossier City slogans: https://bpl-hc.blogspot.com/2026/05/slogans-feature-in-bossier-citys-history.html

05/06/2026

Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM) that is celebrated every May to honor the history, culture, and contributions of Jewish Americans to the United States.

This week’s article, highlights a remarkable connection between local Shreveport history and the events of World War II. In celebration of Jewish American Heritage Month, take a glimpse into the story of Rabbi David Lefkowitz Jr., a former Army chaplain who rescued a German Torah scroll to and brought it home the B’nai Zion Congregation after the war.

To read more, please click on the provided link: https://bpl-hc.blogspot.com/2026/05/rabbi-david-lefkowitz-jr-and-german.html

05/02/2026

We're excited to announce that our History Center's new exhibits are coming!
Starting Monday, May 4th, our Bossier Parish Libraries History Center will be closed for construction. We anticipate reopening by July 1st.
During this time, all normal programs will continue at our Central Library. During the closure, staff will not be able to assist with archival research. If you need other assistance, please contact staff by email ([email protected]) or phone (318-746-7717).

We're excited to announce that our History Center's new exhibits are coming!

Starting Monday, May 4th, our Bossier Parish Libraries History Center will be closed for construction. We anticipate reopening by July 1st.

During this time, all normal programs will continue at our Central Library. During the closure, staff will not be able to assist with archival research. If you need other assistance, please contact staff by email ([email protected]) or phone (318-746-7717).

04/30/2026

Bossier Parish History

Monthly news from 100 years ago!

* Mattie Sentell, who attends the LPI (Louisiana Polytechnic Institute aka Louisiana Tech University) was home for Easter visiting her father, N.W. Sentell
08 Apr 1926
* John Gardner and Barney Oglesby motored to Shreveport when Mr. Oglesby purchased an automobile. 08 Apr 1926
* Mrs. W. R. Marny [Orra Etta Meredith Manry] advertisement for her private art studio in her home located in Bossier City. 08 Apr 1926 * Orra Manry became well known through-out the Ark-La-Tex with her art shows, exhibits and helping to organize the “Fine Arts Group” in 1962. She was also a pupil of Louis Sicard for several years.
* Mrs. W.D. Mercer [Louella Elizabeth Locke Mercer] celebrated her 74th birthday anniversary with family and friends. The honoree spent a very happy afternoon and was delighted with the courtesies extended and the various little gifts of remembrance received. 15 Apr 1926
* Another “Beloved Friend Honored” a surprise birthday celebration was giving in the home of Laura Dortch for her 80th birthday anniversary. Instead of eighty cards and letters, the number ran into the hundreds. An elaborate cake and cream was served. 15 Apr 1926
* Winners of the “Bossier Banner Popular Subscription” contest was announced: Miss Auline Whittington wins first place and Mrs. Albert Gleason takes second place. Voting began Mar.1, 1926 and closed Apr. 24, 1926 They both won a railroad tickets to California as well as, cash checks of 60 and 40 dollars 29 Apr 1926

- Please enjoy the newspaper clippings from the month of Jan. 1926 issues of the Bossier Banner and relating images.

04/29/2026

Ever wonder about the history hidden in plain sight? From its origins on a former plantation site to hosting over 7 million visitors, the Brookshire Grocery Arena has a story much deeper than just its name changes. This week’s article dives into how a single commemorative plaque rediscovered the arena's surprising past— proving that the 'ordinary' buildings we pass every day may have extraordinary stories behind them.

To read this week's article, click on the provided link: https://bpl-hc.blogspot.com/2026/04/plaque-recalls-history-of-bossier-city.html

04/27/2026

Bossier Parish History

Apr. 27, 1961: On this day the announcement was made that Mrs. W.J. MacIntyre gave a very rare book titled “Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana” published in 1890 to the Bossier Parish Library. A section of this book features Bossier Parish with entries including; records of the police jury, postmasters, physicians and early citizens of our parish.

*Please enjoy the newspaper clipping from the 27 Apr 1961 issue of the Bossier Banner, images of the book “Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana” from the Bossier Parish Libraries History Collection and some photos of the Bossier Parish citizens mentioned in the book.

04/26/2026

Thank you KTBS and T.W. Starr for this coverage of the History Center.

BOSSIER CITY, La. - As the region celebrates 250 years of the United States, KTBS continues to highlight the ArkLaTex communities that helped shape this nation. And there's a unique