About this city
Also known as: The Port City
Positioned elegantly on the high red-clay bluffs overlooking the Red River in the northwestern corner of Louisiana, Shreveport is the state's third-largest city and the county seat of Caddo Parish. Founded in 1836 by Captain Henry Miller Shreve, who famously cleared a 160-mile natural logjam known as the 'Great Raft' to open the river for navigation, the city quickly grew into a roaring inland steamboat shipping capital. In the 20th century, Shreveport boomed as a massive oil, natural gas, and manufacturing powerhouse, famously hosting the 'Louisiana Hayride' radio show which launched the career of Elvis Presley. Today, the city forms the economic anchor of the Ark-La-Tex tri-state region, coordinating a diverse economy built on riverboat casino gaming, advanced film production, technology startups, and major medical centers.
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Economics & Local Vibe
Practical Tourism Metadata
Suggested stay: 1–2 days
Experience vibrant riverfront casino gaming and premium dining at the Bally's or Sam's Town Riverboat Casinos. Explore interactive scientific displays and a state-of-the-art dome planetarium at Sci-Port Discovery Center. Photograph rare blooms and exotic orchids at the American Rose Center.
