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 water pumping station in Shreveport, Louisiana. It's located at 142 North Common Street. Today, this historic place is home to the Shreveport Water Works Museum.
The museum shows off water pumping machines that are over 100 years old. It was the last place in the United States to use steam power for its water system. This station stopped working in 1980. Because of its importance, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. It became a National Historic Landmark in 1982. Later, in 1999, it was named a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.
Contents
Discovering the Shreveport Water Works Museum
The Shreveport Water Works Museum is found just west of downtown Shreveport. It sits between North Common Avenue and Twelve Mile Bayou. This bayou flows into the Red River. The museum is a group of buildings mostly made of brick. Inside, you can see many different kinds of pumping machines. These machines were used from 1892 to about 1921.
A Look Back: How Shreveport Got Its Water
The oldest parts of the waterworks were built in 1887. Before this, Shreveport got its water from wells and large storage tanks called cisterns. But the city was growing, and these old ways were not enough. So, the city hired a company to build a new water system.
Over the years, the way water was pumped and cleaned changed a lot. Sometimes, old buildings were updated. Other times, new buildings were added. Often, the older machines were left in place. This means you can see many different types of equipment from different times.
The Station's Big Changes Over Time
The waterworks saw many important changes in the early 1900s. In 1917, the city bought the plant from the private company that ran it. The city kept using the steam-powered pumps for many years. They even used them through the 1970s. This was even though newer electric pumps were becoming more common.
The station finally closed down in 1980. After it closed, the property was turned into a museum. Now, visitors can explore the restored steam machines. These include pumps, filters, and other equipment that helped bring water to Shreveport for decades.
More to Explore: The Shreveport Railroad Museum
Did you know there's another museum right next door? The Shreveport Railroad Museum is also on the grounds of the Shreveport Water Works Museum. Both museums are open to the public. You can visit them to learn about Shreveport's history.
See also
