From the Shreveport Municipal Auditorium website: (
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The Municipal has hosted many interesting and diverse events over the years. It is a city building and has housed many organizations, including: The Caddo Parish Health Services, Early Aircraft Warning System (this predates RADAR), Caddo Council on Aging, The Pelican Chapter of The Girl Scouts of America, Daughters of the Confederacy, Shreveport Parks and Recreation, The City Shop and at one time, the City Morgue. Mid-South wrestling once called the Municipal home. It was also used as a temporary barracks during World War II. Its most famous regular tenant was a nationally broadcast radio program called The Louisiana Hayride. Many, many stars began or furthered their careers from the Municipal’s stage, including Elvis Presley, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash and George Jones, just to name a few.
The hall continues to be scheduled regularly for musical performances, comedians and varied community use. For nearly more then 50 years, a festival celebrating the Louisiana Purchase, called Holiday In Dixie, has utilized the Municipal for its events. The building is still regularly used for Mardi Gras balls, boxing matches and graduation ceremonies.
The Municipal was engineered with superior acoustics. Virtually every play, symphony orchestra, recital, and dance was held there until newer venues were constructed in the late 1950s and early ‘60s. It has a large stage, generous dressing areas and seating for approximately 3,200.
Although the Municipal was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991, the building continued to be the victim of long-term neglect until efforts to revitalize her began in 1994. Air conditioning has been installed in most of the building. With the addition of ramps and an elevator, compliance with the American with Disabilities Act has been completed. Major renovations of the restrooms were finished in April 2004, but there is still a lot of work to be done to restore the Municipal to the level she deserves. It is the passionate commitment of the Friends of the Municipal to execute those improvements and be able to showcase her as the landmark she truly is.