Bossier City, Louisiana
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| City of Bossier City | |
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| City | |
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| Country | United States |
| State | Louisiana |
| Parish | Bossier |
| Area | 41.6 sq mi (107.7 km²) |
| - land | 40.8 sq mi (105.7 km²) |
| - water | 0.8 sq mi (2.1 km²), 1.92% |
| Center | |
| - coordinates | Coordinates: |
| - elevation | 174 ft (53 m) |
| Population | 56,461 (2000) |
| Density | 1,382.6 /sq mi (533.8 /km²) |
| Incorporated | 1907 |
| Mayor | Lorenz Walker |
| Time zone | CST (UTC-6) |
| - summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) |
| ZIP codes | 71111-2 |
| Area code | 318 |
  Location of Bossier City in Louisiana
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 Location of Louisiana in the United States
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| Website : htpp://www.bossiercity.org | |
Bossier City is a city in Bossier Parish, Louisiana, United States. [1] [2] As of the 2000 Census, the city had a total population of 56,461. Bossier City is closely tied to its larger sister city Shreveport, located on the western bank of the Red River. The Shreveport-Bossier City metropolitan area is the center of the region known as the Ark-La-Tex.
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[edit] Geography
Bossier City is located at (32.517651, -93.691397)[3] and has an elevation of 174 feet (53 m)[4].
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 41.6 square miles (107.8 km²), of which, 40.8 square miles (105.8 km²) of it is land and 0.8 square miles (2.0 km²) of it (1.90%) is water.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 56,461 people,[2] 21,197 households, and 14,901 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,382.6 people per square mile (533.8/km²). There were 23,026 housing units at an average density of 563.9/sq mi (217.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 71.44% White, 22.74% African American, 0.57% Native American, 1.73% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 1.44% from other races, and 1.97% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.95% of the population.
There were 21,197 households, out of which 36.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.4% were married couples living together, 15.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.7% were non-families. Nearly 24.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.09.
![Bossier City [top left] is connected to Shreveport, is northwest of Alexandria, west of Monroe and northwest of Natchitoches. Roads also lead to Minden, Arcadia and Mansfield.](/web/20080213145057/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:National_Atlas_Louisiana_west_trim.gif)
In the city of Bossier City, the population was spread out with 28.2% under the age of 18, 11.0% from 18 to 24, 30.4% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 11.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 94.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $36,561, and the median income for a family was $42,642. Males had a median income of $30,632 versus $22,174 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,032. About 11.4% of families and 14.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.9% of those under age 18 and 11.3% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] History
The area of Bossier City dates back to the 1830s when it was the Elysian Groves Plantation of James and Mary Cane. Steamboat loads of cotton, corn, and sweet potatoes were shipped to markets in the south and east, from the plantation port known to many as "Cane's Landing."
During the American Civil War, several companies of local Confederate soldiers left Cane's Landing aboard steamboats for the distant battlefields. During the war, the riverfront was protected from Union invasion by the artillery embankments of Battery's Price, Walker and Ewell. The Confederate Fort Smith stood near what is now Bossier High School and protected the area from an eastern invasion.
Many, many early settlers passed through the region on their way to the wild west. By 1850, over 200 wagons a week were passing through Bossier City. Some of these settlers stayed, attracted by the fertile soil and lush river valley.
By 1882, the plantation was at the center of the convergence of the infamous Shed Road, The Red River steamboat waterway and the soon-to-arrive "Iron Horse" railroad. The plantation was reached from the west, across the Red River by means of a ferry boat named the "Sterling White."
Anna B., granddaughter of James and Mary, together with her husband J. J. Stockwell, felt the area would prosper and began promoting the idea of a riverfront city. Anna B. and J. J. Stockwell started selling lots in their newly formed Bossier City on October 5, 1883. The area grew quickly, as did transportation through it.
The golden spike, commemorating the completion of the east-west Vicksburg, Shreveport and Pacific Railroad, was driven at Bossier City on July 12, 1884, by Julia "Pansy" Rule. It was the first such spike driven by a woman. The north-south Shreveport and Arkansas Railroad was completed through Bossier City on April 6, 1888. The Louisiana-Arkansas Railroad was completed through on November 2, 1909. The Dixie Overland Highway from the east to west coast was built through Bossier City in 1918. These railroads and highways combined to make Bossier City a hub for future activity.
Bossier City's population expanded from 775 citizens in 1910, to 3,000 in 1930, 5,000 in 1940 and 15,260 in 1950, with another 10,000 living just outside the city. By 1950, Bossier City attained the designation "The Fastest Growing City in Louisiana." In 1997, that population was approximately 55,000.
A devastating fire, on June 23, 1925, consumed one-half of downtown Bossier City. That tragedy found local citizens unable to battle the ferocious blaze. The loss spurred civic improvements including a modern water system, capable of fighting such fires, a new City Hall, a modern fire alarm system, modern sidewalks and the first city park.
An area south of Bossier City was chosen in 1928 to house a National Guard air squadron. Barksdale Field was officially dedicated February 3, 1933. It was later renamed Barksdale Air Force Base, and is home to the "mighty" Eighth Air Force. Its social and economic impact to Bossier City and Northwest Louisiana has never been questioned. From this, two major city arteries derive their names, Barksdale Blvd and Airline Dr.
By 1900, Bossier City was the domicile of several large factories. Hamilton's Cotton Oil Mill, from which Hamilton Road gains its name, is a perfect example of an early factory. The mill processed cotton seed and produced cotton oil, from which hundreds of items ranging from oil and animal feed to early plastics were made.
The discovery of petroleum crude oil, to the south, in 1908, thrust Bossier City into the nationwide oil boom. Bossier's central location to the many rural oil fields made it a major player in the oil patch.
Several international oil companies located here. The economic advantages brought by "black gold" fueled many more civic, social and economic improvements.
Bossier City's name has always been unique. First known as Cane's Landing, it was briefly referred to as Alexander's Precinct and Caneville. It was first officially named and incorporated as the Village of Bossier City, then the Town of Bossier City and the City of Bossier City.
At one time, postal employees refused to deliver mail addressed to the Town of Bossier City, declaring it was just a town, not really a city. It took legislative action, initiated by Overton Brooks to have the United States Postal Service recognize the name of the Town of Bossier City. Thus the present name, The City of Bossier City. The ever expanding city limits have grown to encompass the old railroad stations and communities of Brownlee, Barksdale, Bleinhem, Ferguson, Fosters, Fullilove, Hinkle and Shady Grove.
Bossier City has thrived because it is transitional. First a cotton exporting river landing, next a railroad town, then an airbase and oil-boom town, it now garners attention, tourism and an economic boost from the newest boom, recreational gaming. Three riverboats, Horseshoe, Boomtown and Diamond Jacks Casino (formerly Isle of Capri) line Bossier City's developing riverfront.
[edit] Media
[edit] Newspapers
Bossier City is served by the Bossier Press-Tribune and The Shreveport Times. In addition, The Forum Newsweekly, City Lights and SB Magazine are newsmagazines in the Shreveport-Bossier area.
[edit] Television
[edit] Notable residents
- Robert Adley is a Bossier City native and businessman who is a Republican member of the Louisiana State Senate. A former Democrat, Adley also served in the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1980-1996. He resides in the parish seat of Benton.
- Jared Leto was born in Bossier City on December 26, 1971. He is an actor (featured in various movies such as Requiem for a Dream, Lord of War, Fight Club, and Chapter 27, among others) and is also the frontman and rhythm guitarist of the popular alternative rock band 30 Seconds to Mars.
- Shannon Leto, drummer of 30 Seconds to Mars and older brother of Jared Leto, was born in Bossier City in 1970.
- Billy Montgomery, though a native of Natchitoches represented parts of Bossier Parish in the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1988-2008. He is a Democrat-turned-Republican.
- B.J. Ryan is a closer in Major League Baseball for the Toronto Blue Jays of the American League. Previously, Ryan played with the Cincinnati Reds (1999) and Baltimore Orioles (1999–2005).
[edit] Education
Bossier City residents are zoned to Bossier Parish Schools.
[edit] Other notable information
Bossier City is the location of Barksdale Air Force Base, home of the 2nd Bomb Wing, 8th Air Force, and 917th Wing. It was established February 2, 1933 and is one of the area's largest employers. Barksdale encompasses 22,000 acres (89 km²) and hosts the majority of the B-52 Stratofortresses used by the United States Air Force.
Bossier is the home of the Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings af2 arena football team.
[edit] References
- ^ "Bossier City, Louisiana (LA) Detailed Profile" (notes), City Data, 2007, webpage: C-BC.
- ^ a b "Census 2000 Data for the State of Louisiana" (town list), US Census Bureau, May 2003, webpage: C2000-LA.
- ^ US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990. United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ US Board on Geographic Names. United States Geological Survey (2007-10-25). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
[edit] External links
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Bossier Parish, Louisiana |
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| Parish seat: Benton | ||
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Bossier City |
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| Topics |
History | Geography | Politics | Economy | Education | Culture | Transportation | Shreveporters |
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| Shreveport Neighborhoods |
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| The Ark-La-Tex | ||
