![]() |
||||||||||||||||
Historical Sites Germantown
Colony and Museum |
|
|
||||||||||||||
Above the settlement on a quiet hill surrounded by beautiful old trees is the small well-kept cemetery, which holds the remains of many of the early settlers. The tombstones reveal places of birth in Germany, and their dates often tell the sad story of early death. On March 12, 1979, Minden's Germantown Colony was placed on the official list of the Nation's Cultural Resources Worthy of Preservation by the U.S. Department of Interior, Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service. The Germantown Colony and Museum is located at 120 Museum Rd. Go 7 miles northeast of Minden on Germantown Road. Turn right on Museum Road. It is open Wednesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Closed in January and February. Admission is $3 for adults and $.50 for children under 12 years old. Group rates are also available. The museum is also open by appointment. For more information, call (318) 377-6061. Shadow
Estate |
||||||||||||||||
|
|
The property was purchased in 1850 by Calvin and Hepsy Loftin Leary, who settled on the estate after migrating from Houston County, Ga. They named their plantation "Sunnyside," which grew from 100 acres in cultivation to 2,000 acres in cultivation in 1880. The plantation remained in the Leary family until 1882. |
|||||||||||||||
|
Today, restoration of the estate has begun so that we may share the richness of our history with others. The project, led by Cultural Crossroads of Minden, Inc., adheres to the strictest of guidelines as set forth by the Louisiana Division of Historic Preservation and is overseen by an appointed 12-member commission. The goal is to create the W.R. Shadow Museum and Folklife Center. The Shadow Estate is located 1 mile south of Interstate 20 on La. Hwy. 531 between Minden and Dubberly. The site is open for tours each Saturday by reservation with tour times at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Admission is charged with all proceeds going directly to the continued restoration of the historic site. For reservations, call (318) 377-9311 or (318) 371-1568. |
||||||||||||||||
Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Collection Coca-Cola Bottling Co. of Minden features a vast array of Coca-Cola collectibles from past to present, including a clock collection, antique bottle collection, antique Coke cartons/cases, Santa Claus and Christmas collection, antique Coke boxes/machines, antique processing equipment, advertising memorabilia, T-shirts and other collectibles. |
|
|||||||||||||||
| While
the collection is not open to the general public, appointments for private
tour groups can be arranged. For more information, contact the Webster Parish
Convention and Visitors Commission at (318) 377-4240 or call Coca-Cola Bottling
Company of Minden, Inc. at (318) 377-6846.
Coca-Cola
Bottling Co. of Minden is located at 412 Pine St. in Minden. |
||||||||||||||||
|
Cemeteries Look for more information soon regarding the Historic Cemeteries in and around Minden. |
||||||||||||||||
![]() |
Historic
Downtown Minden There is much to see while traveling through historic downtown Minden. Experience old-time charm when visiting restaurants, businesses and quaint shops. The red-bricked Main Street conjures up nostalgic images of a time gone by. Minden boasts
a lovely historic residential district, located adjacent to downtown Minden.
Sixty-nine residences and two churches are within the district, with several
of the residences on the National Registry. |
|||||||||||||||
| Area
Lakes & Bayous
Lake Bistineau State Park Situated on the western shore of beautiful Lake Bistineau, this park offers a satisfying blend of beautiful vistas and outstanding recreational facilities. Memorable for its upland mixed hardwood forest, its open waters, and its enchanting stands of cypress and tupelo trees, the park offers two boat launches, hiking trails, playgrounds, two swimming pools, a lakefront beach, a baseball field, camping, cabins, lodges and excellent fishing. |
|
|||||||||||||||
| Lake Bistineau State Park is located southeast of Shreveport just off LA 163 south of Doyline. From I-20 at Minden take LA 7 south to Sibley, LA 164 west to Doyline, and LA 163 south to the park. For more information, call (318) 745-3503 or 1-888-677-2478. To reserve a cabin, campsite, group camp, picnic pavilion or the lodge, call 1-877-CAMP-N-LA toll free (877-226-7652). |
||||||||||||||||
|
|
Caney Lakes Recreation Area Located 13 miles north of Minden within the Kisatchie National Forest, Upper Caney and Lower Caney provide more than 350 acres of water recreation. Tourists will find the 12-mile sugar cane trail, Day Use Area ($3 per vehicle), Reserve Group Use Area and two camping loops with 49 camp sites available, a terrific hiking, biking, running, swimming, fishing and picnicking experience. Caney Lakes Recreational Area also serves as home to the annual Caney Triathlon.
|
|||||||||||||||
|
The Caney
Lakes are located in the 600,000-acre Kisatchie National Forest, the only
national forest in the Pelican State. Dense forests of mixed hardwood
and pine, meadows, occasional clearings, and rock outcroppings are mixed
with numerous streams, bayous and lakes. From Minden, take LA 159 (Lewisville Rd.) to Caney Lake Road. Go 1.7 miles. For more information, call (318) 377-6727. |
||||||||||||||||
Bayou Dorcheat If calm-water canoeing interests you, beautiful Bayou Dorcheat winds its way through the entire length of Webster Parish. The graceful "Dauchite" is a designated Louisiana Scenic Waterway. Canoers and sportsmen alike can access the bayou from a number of locations, including the neighboring Village of Dixie Inn. |
![]() |
|||||||||||||||
![]() |
The Moess
Center for the Arts & City Farm |
|||||||||||||||
Special events hosted at the City Farm over the past few years include "Moon Over Minden," "Daffodils, Dungarees and Dirt" and the "Spring Arts Festival." Hundreds of folks are drawn to the picturesque grounds that mix agriculture with art. The Moess
Center for the Arts & City Farm is located just blocks from downtown
Minden at the corner of Talton and East Union streets. |
||||||||||||||||
| The
Neighborhood Art Gallery and Museum The Neighborhood Art Gallery and Museum was created through a partnership with Cultural Crossroads of Minden, Inc. and the Dorcheat Historical Association in an effort to unite the arts and humanities. Displays include local and regional photography, historical exhibits, original artwork and more. The Neighborhood also hosts monthly art classes on a variety of topics, including crocheting, mosaic, clay sculpturing, etc. |
||||||||||||||||
| The
Neighborhood is supported by grants from the Louisiana Division of the Arts,
the Office of Culture Recreation and Tourism and the Shreveport Regional
Arts Council.
The Neighborhood Art Gallery and Museum is located at 116 Pearl Street in Minden and is open to the public every Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., and every other Saturday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. There is no admission, but donations are accepted and appreciated. |
![]() |
|||||||||||||||
![]() |
Sports Minden Recreation
Complex |
|||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
| Membership is free and open to everyone; however, a photo identification card must be obtained and presented to use Recreation Complex facilities. For more information, call (318) 371-4235. | ||||||||||||||||
Local Sports Programs Minden has an active recreation program for the youth. In 2003, more than 2,000 children and youth participated in sports activities. Almost 60 teams are involved in youth baseball and softball, beginning with a T-ball league for boys (age 5) and girls (ages 5 and 6). After T-ball, young boys advance to the city-sponsored Coach Pitch League. Boys and girls ages 7 and up may participate in Dixie League ball and may continue until the age of 18. |
|
|||||||||||||||
![]() |
Minden
teams have had numerous success stories, and several teams have participated
in state championships.
For those interested in other sports, there is tennis, basketball, swimming, football, soccer and boxing. For adults, water aerobics classes are offered at both afternoon and evening times. |
|||||||||||||||
| Minden recreational programs are fun and entertaining for the entire family. For more information or to sign up for sports programs, call (318) 371-4235. | ||||||||||||||||
Golfing Pine Hills
Country Club Pine Hills
Country Club is located at 100 Birdie Alley in Minden. For more information,
call (318) 377-3024. |
![]() |
|||||||||||||||
| The
Grove The Grove is an 18-hole semi-private golf retreat located north of Minden between Dorcheat Road and La. 159 on Benson Road. Opened in 2003, the course sits on about 150 acres and plays about 6,400 yards from the tips. Par for the course is 72. Green size averages about 5,500 square feet. Those challenges include almost no flat spots in the course with mounds, bunkers, ponds, creeks and some thick roughs. Upon total completion, the course will also include a practice green, driving range and clubhouse. Open daily.
|
||||||||||||||||
Raceways Bayou Speedway Directions: Travel U.S. Hwy. 80 (Shreveport Road) to Old Shreveport Road. From Old Shreveport Road travel to race track at Allen Road. Schedule: Season opens in March and closes in October. Racing begins every Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Racing Classes: IMCA, Full Body, Sportsters, Super Stock, Mini Stock, Special races (Preseason, Super Late Models, Powder Puff, etc.,) scheduled throughout the season. More Info:
Contact Delane Hicks, 24332 Hwy. 7, Sarepta, LA 71071, (318) 847-4594 |
||||||||||||||||
|
|
![]() |
|||||||||||||||
Go-Cart Racing (1886 Hwy. 532 in Dubberly) Schedule: Season opens in April and closes in October. Racing on Saturday nights. Participants: Ages 6 - through. Open to all go-kart owners. General Admission: $5.00 Bayou Kajun Raceway hosted the 1995 and 1997 IKF 4-Cycle Grand Nationals and will host the 2004 IKF 4-Cycle Grand Nationals July 5-9. More Info:
Call Terry or Sheryl Humphrey at (318) 377-0333 - |
||||||||||||||||
Calendar of Events January February |
![]() |
|||||||||||||||
|
March April May June July August September October November December For a weekly-updated listing of local events, click here. |
||||||||||||||||