Shreveport-Bossier has an abundance of interesting and entertaining attractions and events, most of which are located close to town. Recently, Lieutenant Governor Jay Dardenne visited the sister cities to announce the reveal of a new GPS Ranger ® handheld device. It acts as a personal tour guide along a rural trail in Caddo and Bossier Parishes known as the Boom or Bust Byway.
Recently, I took a drive along the byway using the GPS Ranger ®, and over the next few weeks I will spotlight some of my favorites from the trail.
One of my first stops was in Oil City at the Louisiana State Oil and Gas Museum, located at 200 South Land Avenue. The museum was originally opened in 1969 by a group of citizens devoted to preserving the history of the oil and gas industry in the area. Since then, the museum has a new building, and it has grown to include some of the most interesting, interactive exhibits around. My personal favorite was the replica of the Great Raft. Visitors can actually imitate detonating the explosion that broke up the giant log jam.
The museum also includes exhibits and photographs of Caddo Lake laden with over-water oil derricks, oil and gas pumps and equipment from years past and Caddo Indian relics dating back 10,000 years. Visitors who travel the 20-minute drive north of Shreveport will be pleased to find that admission is free, and the picturesque drive allows a different perspective of two bustling cities.
The Louisiana State Oil and Gas Museum is open to the public,10 a.m.-4 p.m., Wednesday-Friday. Click here to see a full map and to get directions to the museum. Call (318) 995-6845 for more information.
