The Red River, local lakes and bayous have been just as important to the well-being of northwest Louisiana as underground pools of oil, piney forests, and iron tracks of railroad, and equally interconnected.
Historically water provided transportation and food. Trappers harvested furs. Flowing water powered sawmills.
Today, bayous, lakes (both natural and man-made) and the Red River still anchor many regional communities in Bossier Parish providing a source of recreation, flood protection and natural beauty.
As the Red River meanders through the rich farmlands, it picks up soil, which contains iron oxide. This soil gives the water a reddish-orange color and it is why the river got its name. Boats carrying supplies up the Mississippi and then up the Red River were forced, at great expense, to detour and travel the bayous and lakes around the Great Raft, a more than 200-mile log jam. The government sent Captain Henry Miller Shreve to clear the jam and the city soon after was established and named for the captain.
Here are some things that you can enjoy along the Bossier Parish portion of the Boom or Bust Byway:
Interpretitive Kiosk next to Post Office on LA Hwy 2, Plain Dealing, LA
Ornate Churches going east on LA Hwy 2 passed Railroad Tracks, and on side streets over to Palmetto Street, Plain Dealing, LA
Several Early 1900s old homes on Palmetto Street, Plain Dealing, LA
Mural on Side of Building next to Drug Store on Palmetto Street, Plain Dealing, LA
Gile’s Snack Shop has been in the business for many decades serving old-fashion home cooked meals.
Open: Monday to Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
210 E. Palmetto St.
Plain Dealing, LA 71064
318-326-4088
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Rita Sanders Keoun Memorial Bossier Parish Library offers visitors a historical look at the community through exhibits.
Open: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
208 E. Mary Lee Street (LA Hwy 2)
Plain Dealing, LA 71064
318-326-4233
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Tatter’d, Torn & Reborn is a resale, vintage and salvage shop.
Open: Wednesday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
109 Lynch Street
Plain Dealing, LA 71064
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Other attractions in Bossier Parish off of LA HWY 2 – Small town of Benton on LA HWY 3 south of Plain Dealing:
Cypress-Black Bayou Recreation
Beautiful Cypress-Black Bayou offers many attractions including swimming, marina, picnic sites, camping, nature center and zoo.
135 Cypress Park Drive
Benton, LA 71006
318-965-0007, 318-965-2289
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Heritage Village is a collection of old buildings including the Hodges Historical Home, Log Home and Old School House. The Hodges Historical Home is available by appointment only.
414 Sibley Street
Benton, LA 71006
318-965-0798
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Jayroe’s Hardware & Garden has a wonderful plant nursery, garden accessories and hardware items.
207 Fifth Street
Benton, LA 71006
318-965-0956
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