The 1891 Caddo Parish Courthouse was located on the site of the current courthouse in downtown Shreveport.  It is shown after remodeling and expansion.  Caddo District Judge Thomas Fletcher Bell planted the oaks seen around the perimeter.  The building at the right of the photo is the Ward Building, erected in 1915.  It currently houses the Caddo Parish Registrar of Voters office at the corner of Marshall and Milam Streets.  (Postcard from the collection of Ernie Roberson, Caddo Parish Registrar of Voters)

 

 

The Caddo Parish Courthouse at 501 Texas Street in downtown Shreveport is shown covered in a rare snow in this vintage postcard.  The courthouse was built in 1928 on the location of the previous courthouse, which served the citizens of the parish from 1891-1926.  The Registrar of Voters office has been located in varying locations in the courthouse, from the fourth floor to the basement annex.  In 1998, the office moved to the Caddo Parish Commission building, which was formerly known as the Ward Building and later named after the late Francis P. Bickham.  (Postcard from the collection of Ernie Roberson, Caddo Parish Registrar of Voters)

 

Another postcard of the Caddo Parish Courthouse, this one probably dates to the 1930s.  The oak trees on the grounds of the courthouse were planted from oak seedlings brought from New Orleans by Caddo District Judge Thomas Fletcher Bell.  (Postcard from the collection of Ernie Roberson, Caddo Parish Registrar of Voters)

 

 

 

 

 

Before the poll tax became illegal, voters who wished to vote had to pay a one-dollar poll tax to the Sheriff each year.  This poll tax receipt shown here is from 1921, when Tom Hughes was the Caddo Parish Sheriff.  The Registrar coordinated with the Sheriff and the Tax Assessor to organize the voting list, which was based on who owned property and had paid their poll tax for upcoming elections. (From the collection of Ernie Roberson, Caddo Parish Registrar of Voters)

 

 

 

 

Miss Jim Martin, Registrar of Voters of Caddo Parish from 1923-1959, signed this voter registrar card.  She is thought to be the first female Registrar of Voters in Louisiana.  She became the Registrar after the death of Mr. Marbury, shortly after the office of Registrar became a separate office through the Louisiana Constitution. Miss Martin’s father, James Martin, served as the U.S. Marshal and City Marshal in Shreveport, and her sister was reportedly the first female graduate of the LSU Law School, according to a local newspaper article.  (From the collection of Ernie Roberson, Caddo Parish Registrar of Voters)

 

 

Caddo Parish voter registration documents.  One was issued by Sheriff Tom R. Hughes and the other by Miss Jim Martin, Caddo Parish Registrar of Voters. (From the collection of Ernie Roberson, Caddo Parish Registrar of Voters)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Voters waiting to vote at a Shreveport Fire Station in the 1940s or 1950s. (From the collection of Ernie Roberson, Caddo Parish Registrar of Voters)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long line waiting to vote at Byrd High School in the 1940s-1950s. (From the collection of Ernie Roberson, Caddo Parish Registrar of Voters)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1958 Polling Place Change card notifying a voter of his/her new ward and precinct.  It was issued during the time Miss Jim Martin served as Caddo Parish Registrar of Voters.  Note that no phone number is given to contact the Registrar. (From the collection of Ernie Roberson, Caddo Parish Registrar of Voters)

 

 

 

 

 

J. Frank McAneny, veteran news photographer and early television film reporter, captured this giant snow woman at the fire station at the corner of Wilkinson Street and Line Avenue on Election Day.  It was built by two firemen. (From the collection of Ernie Roberson, Caddo Parish Registrar of Voters)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1964 Caddo Parish ballot for a tax during the time that the poll tax and voting by proportional tax calculations were used.  In this election, the tax had to pass on two levels: one by popular vote and one by a majority of tax assessments.  Large landowners had a proportional vote based on their percentage of taxation.  The “one man, one vote” ruling ended this type of election. (From the collection of Ernie Roberson, Caddo Parish Registrar of Voters)

 

 

 

 

Shreveport Public Safety Commissioner Jimmie Davis voted in the 1944 Governor’s race, which he won.  Note that is voting on a paper ballot.  Interestingly, Mayor Sam Caldwell of Shreveport was also a candidate in the race.  Davis served twice as Governor, from 1944 to 1948 and again from 1960 to 1964. (From the collection of Ernie Roberson, Caddo Parish Registrar of Voters)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Governor Jimmie Davis and Shreveport Mayor Clyde Fant discussing a political issue. Fant served as Shreveport Mayor from 1950 to 1954 and again from 1958 to 1970.  (From the collection of Ernie Roberson, Caddo Parish Registrar of Voters)

 

 

 

Huey P. Long was originally from Winnfield, Louisiana, but he also lived in Shreveport.  He was elected as Public Service Commissioner, Governor of Louisiana, and U.S. Senator before being killed at the State Capitol building in Baton Rouge.  Long was known for his public service projects, like roads and bridges, building the new State Capitol, free textbooks for school children, and his “Share the Wealth” program.  (From the collection of Ernie Roberson, Caddo Parish Registrar of Voters)

 

 

 

Very scarce autograph of Rose McConnell Long, widow of Huey P. Long.  This was signed while she served in the U.S. Senate. (From the collection of Ernie Roberson, Caddo Parish Registrar of Voters)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earl K. Long served as Louisiana governor three times: 1939-1940, 1948-1952, 1956-1960.  He was the brother of Huey P. Long of Winnfield, Louisiana.  “Uncle” Earl was known to say that he “wanted to be everyone’s friend.” (From the collection of Ernie Roberson, Caddo Parish Registrar of Voters)

 

 

At right: A rare Earl K. Long campaign item of a ticket and stub used in drawing for cash to be given at a stump speech by “Uncle” Earl in one of his campaigns. If you had the winning number, then you won the monetary prize. (From the collection of Ernie Roberson, Caddo Parish Registrar of Voters)

 

 

 

 

 

Voters in Louisiana have often been treated to colorful politicians and their antics.  This vintage card shows the first mailing of Old Age Pension Checks in July, 1948, with Senator Dudley J. LeBlanc of Abbeville, Lt. Governor William “Bill” Dodd, and Governor “Uncle” Earl Long presiding over the bags of mail.  The checks were for $30.00 and were sent to any Louisiana resident over 65 years of age.  (From the collection of Ernie Roberson, Caddo Parish Registrar of Voters)

 

LeBlanc, who had quite an extensive political career and ran for Governor of Louisiana four times is often referred to as the “Father of the Old Age Pension” in Louisiana.  He was also known for his successful business ventures through Governor Huey Long had on of his businesses declared illegal, causing LeBlanc to move to Texas for a period of time.

 

 

 

 

 

Russell Long, son of Huey Long, was elected as U.S. Senator in 1948 from Louisiana and served in Washington, D.C. until 1984.  (From the collection of Ernie Roberson, Caddo Parish Registrar of Voters)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Statewide candidates often ran as a “ticket” trying to gain regional strength and votes from each other.  This old “ticket” was for the Jimmie Davis and C.C. “Taddy” Aycock alliance probably for the 1960 Governor’s election. (From the collection of Ernie Roberson, Caddo Parish Registrar of Voters)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rare letter dated 1938 from Louisiana 4th District Congressman Overton Brooks to Congressman Sam Rayburn of Texas.  Rayburn would later become Speaker of the House.  (From the collection of Ernie Roberson, Caddo Parish Registrar of Voters)