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Curiosity Takes the Wheel: Discovering Shreveport's Historic Central Railroad Station


Photos and Story by Ken Hulsey

If you have ever driven on Interstate 20 through Shreveport, Louisiana, you may have noticed a building just north of the highway that looks very much like an old railroad station. I have literally driven past it over a dozen times and wondered just that. A week ago, my curiosity got the best of me, and I decided to go see if what I was seeing was indeed what I thought it was. (Writing can be hard at times, my friends.)


I was thrilled to find out that the building I spotted off the highway was indeed an old railroad station, the Shreveport Central Railroad Station to be precise, which just so happens to be the oldest surviving railroad station in the city.

From the historical marker:

Central Station - Built 1910 for Arkansas St Louis Southwestern Railroad. Only surviving passenger railroad terminal in city built prior WWI. Listed on National Register of Historic Places 1991.
I have to note that the marker and Wikipedia have conflicting information.  The marker states that the station was built in 1910 by the St. Louis Southwestern Western Railroad (known by railfans as the Cotton Belt, which was part of the great Southern Pacific Railroad). Yet, Wiki states that it was constructed by the Louisiana and Arkansas Railroad in 1910. That railroad ran from Hope, Arkansas to here in Alexandria, Louisiana. 

Note: My wife wants me to point out that Wikipedia is garbage and should never be quoted.

That's a bit of a mystery, but it's not the mystery that I wanted to talk about. The other mystery surrounds the abandoned railroad equipment parked on the tracks behind Central Station. To be honest, this old station is quite interesting, but the passenger car, industrial locomotive, and adjoining baggage car are way more fascinating to a railroad buff like me.


I spent some time this evening trying to find out some information about them, but all I could find was information about the old station and the gay nightclub that now occupies it.


Yes, this historical building isn't a museum (which it should be) or preserved in its original style for future generations to enjoy; instead, it's been converted into a nightclub.

Epic fail, Shreveport!

Anyway, the railroad equipment that was parked outside Central Station has become abandoned and now sits in total disrepair. I doubt that most Louisiana railfans or local residents outside the patrons of this club even know they exist.


Check out these pics:
  





















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