Mooretown, Shreveport, Louisiana facts for kids

Mooretown (also called Motown by people who live there) is a neighborhood in the city of Shreveport, Louisiana, in the United States. It is about 5 miles west of downtown Shreveport. Mooretown has a special history because it was once an independent town, created by African Americans.

How Mooretown Began

Mooretown started in the early 1900s. A group of African Americans, led by a man named Giles D. Moore, decided to form their own community. They wanted to create a place where African Americans could live and thrive independently. This new community was built outside the city limits of Shreveport.

Giles D. Moore's Vision

Giles D. Moore was a leader who had a big idea. He wanted to establish a place where African Americans could own land and build homes. This was important because, at that time, many African Americans faced challenges in finding good places to live. Mooretown became a self-sufficient community, meaning it had its own services and businesses.

Becoming Part of Shreveport

For many years, Mooretown was its own separate town. However, after World War II, the city of Shreveport began to grow much larger. As Shreveport expanded, it eventually included Mooretown within its city limits. This process is called "annexation." When a city annexes an area, that area becomes a part of the larger city.

What Annexation Meant

When Mooretown was annexed, it stopped being an independent town. Instead, it became a neighborhood within Shreveport. This meant that residents of Mooretown then received services from the city of Shreveport, like police, fire, and public works. It also meant they became part of Shreveport's government and laws.