National Register Listing

St. Paul's Bottoms

a.k.a. Ledbetter Heights;See Also:Sprague Street Houses

Roughly bounded by Western and Pierre Aves., Alston, Christian, Oakland, and Snow Sts., Shreveport, LA
Local significance of the district:
Architecture; Social History; Black

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1984.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

Hurricane Katrina, which struck Louisiana in 2005, was one of the deadliest and costliest hurricanes in U.S. history. The storm caused widespread destruction in New Orleans and other parts of the state, and its aftermath highlighted issues of poverty, race, and government response in the United States.
Louisiana random facts
Caddo Parish, located in the northwestern part of Louisiana, has a rich history that dates back thousands of years. It was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Caddo people, who left an indelible mark on the region. European settlers began to explore the area in the late 17th century, with the establishment of the French Louisiana colony.

In the early 19th century, the United States government acquired the Louisiana Territory from France through the Louisiana Purchase. As the area became American territory, Caddo Parish grew in importance as a center of trade and commerce. The Red River, which flows through the parish, played a crucial role in transportation and trade, leading to the establishment of river towns and plantations along its banks.

The Civil War had a significant impact on Caddo Parish. As part of the Confederacy, it experienced the effects of Union invasion and occupation. After the war, the region underwent a period of reconstruction and recovery. The advent of the railroad in the late 19th century brought further growth and prosperity to the area, connecting Caddo Parish to other parts of the country.

The 20th century brought numerous developments in Caddo Parish, including the discovery and exploitation of the region's oil and gas resources. This led to an economic boom and increased settlement in the area. Today, Caddo Parish continues to thrive as a major hub in northwest Louisiana, blending its rich history with modern amenities and institutions that serve its diverse population.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Caddo Parish, Louisiana.

  • 1835: Caddo Parish was established on March 1, as one of the original 19 parishes of the Territory of Louisiana.
  • 1838: Shreve Town was incorporated as the first town in the parish. It later became known as Shreveport.
  • 1851: The construction of the first courthouse in Caddo Parish was completed.
  • 1861-1865: Caddo Parish, like much of Louisiana, was greatly impacted by the American Civil War.
  • 1873: The City of Shreveport was officially incorporated.
  • 1924: The Caddo Parish Courthouse, known for its iconic architecture, was completed.
  • 1933-1938: The Great Depression brought economic hardship to the parish.
  • 1941-1945: World War II brought significant changes to Caddo Parish as the region became a center for military activity and industrial production.
  • 1978: The Shreveport Downtown Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
  • 1993: The Red River Revel, an annual arts festival, was launched in Shreveport.
  • 2005: Hurricane Katrina caused significant damage and displacement of residents in Caddo Parish.