To start, I have been reading sources on the basic history of the Shreveport/Bossier City area.  This has helped to paint a multi-faceted picture of the development of Shreveport from 1836 and what is now the downtown area to the development of the Highland area and the Beverly Hills neighborhood. Additional research material has been provided by the very helpful staff at the Louisiana State University of Shreveport Archives, which is located in Noel Library.

My thesis topic a National Register feasibility report that is based around the Beverly Hills neighborhood in Shreveport, Louisiana. This neighborhood is still a largely intact 1920s/1930s area that is adjacent to the Highland Historic District.

I first came across Beverly Hills when completing a HABS short form during my first semester. The few documents that actually reference the area by name are the original plats for the neighborhood, the first one dating from 1926.  I had never heard of it, and apparently not many other people have.

The mission of the site from my research, as well as the actual site visit, is to teach, preserve and protect. A large part of this is involved in grant research, for instance with the Coincoin site. Also, many workshops are offered the NCPTT to teach on various topics ranging from cemetery preservation to graffiti removal from buildings.

Positive aspects of the site include easy access, clear designation of the location of the site and rich literary resources. Also, the site was well maintained and knowledgeable staff. Overall, the site visit was very productive and enjoyable.

http://www.crt.state.la.us/archaeology/laprehis/marca.htm

http://www.dotd.louisiana.gov/pressreleases/Release.aspx?key=616

2) Location (Yahoo/Google Maps, etc.) and Distance from NSU:

From NSU campus, the shortest route to reach the site, located in downtown Jonesville, is approximately 94.1 miles away. From Natchitoches, the shortest route is to take Hwy 84 east to Jonesville. Jonesville is located in east Louisiana, near Ferriday, LA.

3) Owner/Manager (include contact information):

Butch Lee is excavating the site, but the Louisiana DOTD is overseeing the site.

4) Site Description (in your own words):

The site is located in the middle of a small urban setting. It is the remains of mounds that were possibly constructed around 700 A.D. These mounds The site was once a mound, but was initially damaged during the Civil War, and then later demolished to build a bridge. What are currently being excavated are the remains of what was used as “fill” for the bridge.

5) Ease of Finding Information:

The information that I found was easily available, as well as other information (though from the 1930s) which might prove useful from Watson Library. Much of the information I found was readily available through the DOTD website.

6) Quality/Quantity of Information:

While I wish I had more information, what I did find was incredibly useful.

7) Visitor Expectations Based on Available Information:

Considering the already damaged site, I expect that whatever the mounds might have looked like will be completely absent.

http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/courant/access/772538232.html?dids=772538232:772538232&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Jan+05%2C+1918&author=&pub=Hartford+Courant&desc=SHORTAGE+IN+ARMY+OVERCOATS+ABOUT+ENDED%2C+SAYS+BAKER&pqatl=google

http://www.la.ngb.army.mil/dmh/immm_hist.htm

http://www.la.ngb.army.mil/

2) Location (Yahoo/Google Maps, etc.) and Distance from NSU:

From NSU campus, the site is located north of Pineville, LA. From Natchitoches to Camp Beauregard (if taking I-49), the site is 62.0 miles away. It lies just east of Paradise, LA off of Hwy 165 on Woodlawn Dr.

3) Owner/Manager (include contact information):

Camp Beauregard is currently under state control, or the Louisiana National Guard, under Adjutant General MG Bennett Landreneau. The post commander is Michael Woods. Phone number 318-641-5669

4) Site Description (in your own words):

The earliest mention of Camp Beauregard I located dated from 1918. Currently, the structure is in use as a base/training facility for the Louisiana National Guard. In 1941, it held the largest peacetime military training exercise in history. This was in anticipation of World War II. Such military leaders as Patton and Eisenhower visited this site. This site is still in use for the Louisiana National Guard.

5) Ease of Finding Information:

I was not able to locate a wealth of information about the history of the site. I was able to locate early periodicals mentions of the site that aided in placing when the site started making an appearance.

6) Quality/Quantity of Information:

Information from reliable sources was scanty. There were a few photographs that claimed to have been taken at Camp Beauregard, but this is unsubstantiated.

7) Visitor Expectations Based on Available Information:

I am wondering if the National Guard would have protected this site, or if it is still in current use. If so, I fear that it might have been damaged.

“The Town Talk” -http://www.thetowntalk.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070415/COMMUNITIES/704120341/1079

“Kisatchie National Forrest”- http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/kisatchie/catahoula-rd/trails/camp-livingston.htm

2) Location (Yahoo/Google Maps, etc.) and Distance from NSU:

Camp Livingston is located 71.2 miles from NSU campus when taking I-49 south.  It is located in Kisatchie Forest, north of Pineville. It is east of Nugent off of Hwy 165.

3) Owner/Manager (include contact information):

The site is owned and operated by the USDA Forest Service, under the care of:

Kisatchie National Forest

2500 Shreveport Hwy

Pineville, LA 71360

Phone: (318) 473-7160

4) Site Description (in your own words):

Camp Livingston was formerly known as Camp Tioga, but was renamed Camp Livingston after Chancellor Livingston. During World War II, Camp Livingston served as an Army base as well as a POW camp. The base was deactivated in 1945. Currently, the area is under the Catahoula Ranger District. It is also home of the Little Creek and Hickman Loop Trail.

5) Ease of Finding Information:

While there was information on Wikipedia, it is somewhat suspect, I was able to locate a couple of websites outside of Wikipedia. In attempting to find information in Watson Library, the only document I was able to successfully locate was on microform.

6) Quality/Quantity of Information:

There were several websites that mentioned Camp Livingston, but the information was not exactly provided by a government or academic entity. Outside of these, I was able to find a few trustworthy sources on the internet. Overall, the quantity of information located was not extensive.

7) Visitor Expectations Based on Available Information:

I expect that the site will be remote, but have ready access to trails. Due to the area, I imagine that the site is a wooded area. With hiking trails going through the area, I fear that some of the site might be damaged. I hope that there are still some standing structures, and if there was a base there, I imagine that there should at least be one or two.

Cane River National Heritage Area- http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/travel/caneriver/mai.htm

2) Location (Yahoo/Google Maps, etc.) and Distance from NSU:

From NSU, the site is approximately 8.1 miles away from NSU campus. It is located south of Natchitoches, just outside of Natchez, LA and northeast of Bermuda. The site sits along the Cedar Bend off of Hwy 49, possibly on Patrick Rd.

3) Owner/Manager (include contact information):

The owner of the property is a private resident and not owned by any government, local or federal.

4) Site Description (in your own words):

The site is a typical example of Creole architecture. It is typical waterfront property that was probably divided up by French property lines. This is not confirmed. This site is in regards to the woman Marie Therese Coincoin that was born a slave around 1740 and later freed by her lover.

5) Ease of Finding Information:

The information that was provided was easily accessible from the internet.

6) Quality/Quantity of Information:

The information from the Care River Heritage Area site is backed up by the National Park Service. Due to it being a government website, the content I trust. I do wish there was more information on the condition of the structure. While history was provided, as well as the architecture style, the actual condition was not told.

7) Visitor Expectations Based on Available Information:

I imagine that the structure, since not open for tours, is probably not restored. It is probably preserved. From the images of the building from the site, if accurate, the building is perhaps in a great deal of disrepair.

NCPTT Official Website- http://www.ncptt.nps.gov/

2) Location (Yahoo/Google Maps, etc.) and Distance from NSU:

Site is located on NSU campus. Official address is:

NCPTT – National Center for Preservation Technology and Training
645 University Parkway
Natchitoches, LA 71457

3) Owner/Manager (include contact information):

Kirk Cordell is the Executive Director of this site. The NCPTT is under the National Park Service Cultural Resources division. The National Park Service is a federal agency which is under the U.S. Department of the Interior.  The NCPTT can be contacted via:

Phone: 3187-356-7444

Fax: 318-356-9119

Email: ncptt@nps.gov

4) Site Description (in your own words):

The site is a two story structure with an exterior composed of red brick that looks to have been constructed in the early to mid -1900s. It is located adjacent to an intersection with University St and Caspari St. On the rear of the structure is a great metal staircase that was probably a recent addition. The grounds around the structure have been carefully groomed, and great has been given to the flowerbeds that line the front of the structure.

The services or function of the site is to offer training and other opportunities for preservation and archeological purposes. Ranging from hosted workshops at the NCPTT to workshops from schools, the site shows the NCPTT offers a wide variety of services. A large focus appears to be on disaster recovery, cemetery conservation, archeology and architecture.

5) Ease of Finding Information:

This information was easily accessible from the internet.

6) Quality/Quantity of Information:

The quality of the information is reliable. It is a federally sponsored website, which is not something that can easily be faked. The amount of information that was on the website was incredible and very informative.

7) Visitor Expectations Based on Available Information:

Having not seen inside the structure, I can only base my assumptions on the information from the website. I expect the interior of the structure has been completely modernized. This site is probably very active due to the amount of workshops, classes etc that are offered there.