Shreveport Waterworks Pumping Station facts for kids
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Shreveport Waterworks Pumping Station
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McNeil Street Pumping Station
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 Location in Shreveport Downtown
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| Location | 142 North Common Street, Shreveport, Louisiana |
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| Area | 4 acres (1.6 ha) |
| Built | 1887 |
| NRHP reference No. | 80001707 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | May 9, 1980 |
| Designated NHL | December 17, 1982 |
The Shreveport Waterworks Pumping Station, also known as the McNeil Street Pump Station, is a very old building in Shreveport, Louisiana. It used to pump water for the city. Today, it is home to the Shreveport Water Works Museum.
This museum shows off many different kinds of water pumping machines. Some of these machines are over 100 years old! This station was special because it was the last place in the United States to use steam power to pump water. It stopped working in 1980.
Because of its history, the station has received several important honors. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. This list helps protect important places in America. In 1982, it became a National Historic Landmark, which is an even higher honor. Then, in 1999, it was named a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. This means it's a very important example of how engineers built things in the past.
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What is the Shreveport Water Works Museum?
The Shreveport Water Works Museum is located west of downtown Shreveport. It sits between North Common Avenue and Twelve Mile Bayou. This bayou flows into the Red River nearby.
The museum is made up of several brick buildings. Inside these buildings, you can see many different types of water pumping equipment. This equipment was used between 1892 and about 1921.
How the Waterworks Began
The oldest parts of the buildings were built in 1887. Before this, Shreveport got its water from wells and large tanks called cisterns. But as the city grew, these old ways of getting water were not enough. So, the city decided to build a modern waterworks facility.
Over the years, as new ways to pump and clean water were invented, the buildings were changed. Sometimes, new buildings were added. Often, the older machines were left in place, so you can see how technology changed over time.
Changes and Updates
The waterworks plant saw many big changes in the early 1900s. In 1917, the city bought the plant from the private company that used to run it.
The city kept using the old steam-powered pumps even into the 1970s. This was unusual because electric pumps were becoming much more common and efficient. But the Shreveport station kept its steam engines running for a long time.
From Pumping Station to Museum
The Shreveport Waterworks Pumping Station finally closed down in 1980. After it closed, the property was turned into a museum.
Today, the museum shows off the old steam machinery. You can see the pumps, filters, and other equipment that helped bring clean water to Shreveport for many years. It's a great place to learn about how cities used to get their water.
Other Museums Nearby
The Shreveport Railroad Museum is also located on the same grounds as the Shreveport Water Works Museum. Both museums are open to the public. You can visit them to learn about water history and trains!
See Also
