Centenary College of Louisiana - Yoncopin Yearbook (Shreveport, LA)

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I Colonel John Bryan Ardis

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absence. During the next few years, however, churches of all faiths were organized and Shreveport has since been noted for its religious activities. From the time of the city ' s foundation until 1861 all travel was clone by stage coach or steamboat. The river traffic was especially thriving. There were usually twenty or thirty boats at the wharfs. Much freight was also carried by wagon train to Texas and Mexico, as the name of Texas Street would hint. The town, incorporated in 1847, grew to a population of 3000 before the Civil War temporarily checked its growth. Very little actual fighting took place near Shreveport, but the headquarters of the Trans-Mississippi Department of the Confederacy, together with officers, stores and arsenal were established here. In 1864 the capitol was moved to Shreveport, to remain for sixteen months. Governor Allen took the oath of office from the steps of the old Court House. It was during the Civil War that historic Fort Humbug came by its name. The Confederate soldiers piled up logs on a bluff at the bend of the river in such a manner that the Federals were completely routed at the sight of what they thought was a strong fort. After reconstruction days, prosperity came to Shreveport to stay. Cotton raising grew in importance until Shreveport was the second largest inland cotton port in the country. The city expanded so that in 1870 a system of horse cars was instituted from Jordan Street to Spring Street. It was not until 1889 that the horses were replaced by mechanical street cars. In 1883 the first passenger train was brought into Shreveport from the east by V., S. P. Railroad. In 1906 oil was discovered in Caddo Parish by the Savage Brothers. This source of revenue to the city is as yet unexhausted and will for many years contribute to the prosperity of Shreveport. Since 1915, the city has more than doubled in population. It is only necessary to say that on the eve of its one-hundredth anni- versary, one can look with pride on its first century of progress, and hope for equal good fortune for the next hundred years. Thus stands our SHBV PORT OF 1928

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Dedication (sjasi ' iGsw To Colonel John Bryan Ardis, that sincere friend of Centenary College, who se whole -hearted support, manifested in its earlier days in Shreveport, made possible its continuance; whose manliness, uprightness and personal exem- plification of those high character- istics of a gentleman; whose clear judgment, civic pride, and loyalty to highest ideals, have been such a force for good in the building of the College and the City of Shreve- port, we respectfully dedicate the 1928 volume of the Yoncopin. Shreve ' s trading with the Caddo Indians was the first commercial life in Caddo ■ — « ©( -JSV CAPTAIN SHREVE GRADUALLY FOUNDED HIS INDIAN TRADE