- Shreveport Municipal Memorial Auditorium
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Shreveport Municipal Memorial Auditorium
Location: 705 Elvis Presley Avenue (formerly Grand Avenue), Shreveport, Louisiana Coordinates: 32°30′28″N 93°45′10″W / 32.50778°N 93.75278°WCoordinates: 32°30′28″N 93°45′10″W / 32.50778°N 93.75278°W Area: 2 acres (0.81 ha) Built: 1929 Architect: Jones, Roessle, Olschner & Wiener; Ashton Glassell Co., Inc. Architectural style: Art Deco Governing body: Local NRHP Reference#: 91000624 Significant dates Added to NRHP: May 28, 1991[1] Designated NHL: October 6, 2008[2] Shreveport Municipal Memorial Auditorium, in Shreveport, Louisiana, is an Art Deco building constructed between 1926 and 1929 during the administration of Mayor Lee Emmett Thomas as a memorial to the servicemen of World War I.[3]
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991 and was designated a National Historic Landmark on October 6, 2008.[2][4]
The building was designed, by architects Samuel G. Wiener, Sr. and Seymour Van Os, both of the firm of Jones, Roessle, Olschner & Wiener of Shreveport. Contractor for construction was the Ashton Glassell Company, also of Shreveport.[5]
The Municipal Memorial Auditorium is often called, "The "Muni," by Shreveporters. It is located at 705 Elvis Presley Avenue (formerly Grand Avenue), in Shreveport and houses the Stage of Stars Museum. The 3,200-seat auditorium is used for concerts, family shows, Broadway plays, boxing, and other special events.
It is significant for hosting the Louisiana Hayride radio program. During its heyday, from 1948 to 1960, the program spawned the careers of some of the greatest names in American Country and Rockabilly music. The Hayride regularly featured performers, such as Hank Williams, Slim Whitman, Jim Reeves, Johnny Cash, Johnny Horton & Elvis Presley (who got his start at this venue), among many other notable names.[6]
The auditorium has been undergoing renovations since 1994. Recent improvements to the Auditorium have included air conditioning, renovated restrooms, installation of ramps and an elevator. Additional renovations will be done in the future, resulting in a fully restored auditorium.
External links
References
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2008-04-15. http://nrhp.focus.nps.gov/natreg/docs/All_Data.html.
- ^ a b "Shreveport Municipal Memorial Auditorium". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=238793616&ResourceType=Building. Retrieved 2009-03-03.
- ^ Brock, Eric J.: "Municipal Auditorium Now Being Restored." The Times, 1994-09-17
- ^ Patricia Duncan, Jody Cook, and Caridad de la Vega (March, 2007). National Historic Landmark Nomination: Shreveport Municipal Memorial AuditoriumPDF (32 KB). National Park Service
- ^ National Register of Historic Places nomination form, 1991
- ^ Brock, Eric J.: "Louisiana Hayride Gave Elvis His First Boost." The Times, 1999-05-15
U.S. National Register of Historic Places Topics Lists by states Alabama • Alaska • Arizona • Arkansas • California • Colorado • Connecticut • Delaware • Florida • Georgia • Hawaii • Idaho • Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Kansas • Kentucky • Louisiana • Maine • Maryland • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi • Missouri • Montana • Nebraska • Nevada • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New Mexico • New York • North Carolina • North Dakota • Ohio • Oklahoma • Oregon • Pennsylvania • Rhode Island • South Carolina • South Dakota • Tennessee • Texas • Utah • Vermont • Virginia • Washington • West Virginia • Wisconsin • WyomingLists by territories Lists by associated states Other Categories:- National Register of Historic Places in Louisiana
- Buildings and structures completed in 1929
- National Historic Landmarks in Louisiana
- Buildings and structures in Shreveport, Louisiana
- Art Deco architecture in Louisiana
- Concert halls in the United States
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