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 that marker and Wikipedia have conflicting information. The marker states that the station was built in 1910 by the St. Louis Southwestern Western Railroad (know 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 of the patrons of this club even know that they even exist.
Check out these pics:
Yes, I agree... The State needs to claim it & preserve this!!! As a National Treasure!!!!
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