Shreveport’s Historic Highland Area is one of the city’s largest and most historic neighborhoods. In fact, it is several neighborhoods, formed independently in the years between the end of the Civil War and the beginning of World War II, which 302 Columbia ultimately grew together to form the architecturally rich and tree-filled district known today as Highland. 

The Highland Area contains an abundance of architecturally and historically important houses, churches, schools, and commercial buildings. Although much has been lost through the years, much remains. Today Highland’s wealth of important structures is truly one of Shreveport’s most important treasures.

Two National Register of Historic Places–listed historic districts are found in the Highland Area: the Highland Historic District, comprising much of the neighborhood east of Line Avenue and west of Gilbert, and the Fairfield Historic District, comprising much of the neighborhood west of Line and south of Olive. Additionally, there are numerous individually listed National Register landmarks dotted throughout the Highland Area.

The Highland Area derives its name from its topography as the neighborhood lies atop Shreveport’s highest elevations. For almost a century the city’s expansion and the growth of the Highland Area were practically synonymous. Streetcars once ran the length and breadth of the Highland Area, allowing for rapid growth in the era predating the automobile age. Today the area is a well-established historic and diverse neighborhood lying literally at the center of the city and the city’s life.

This information is prepared as a guide to the Highland Area, its two historic districts, and its many historic places. As you travel the neighborhood take note of the abundance of Victorian homes in its northern reaches (especially in the Irving Place at Jordan Street area and in Fairfield at Dalzell area), the neo-Classical and Italianate mansions (especially along the Fairfield corridor south of Olive), the rich abundance of frame foursquare homes with their wide porches found throughout the area ( especially in the 800 and 900 blocks

of Kirby Pl. and Wilkinson and along Boulevard and College west of Fairfield), and the many bungalows – acclaimed by the Department of the Interior as the state’s finest collection of bungalows – found throughout the eastern part of the neighborhood (some particularly fine examples include those at 419 Olive, 2032 Gilbert, and 343 College, all dating from the period 1910-1920, but there are many more as well).

Drive or walk the historic Highland-Fairfield Area and use this brochure to identify many of the neighborhood’s points of interest by street address. As this is an active neighborhood, please bear in mind that most properties listed are private and not open to the public.

Eric J. Brock
Noted Historian

Highland Tour Brochure