An art Deco building which was built between 1926 and 1929, the Shreveport Municipal Auditorium was commissioned during Mayor Lee Emmett Thomas’ administration. It served as a structure that commemorated the men who served and lost their lives during World War I.
Anyone who has ever been to Shreveport, Louisiana has probably heard about Shreveport Municipal Auditorium and its haunted reputation. Audience members, tour guides, and staff have reported feeling uneasy and have shared their personal anecdotes of unexplainable things in the building.
There is the door near the foyer which opened and shuts on its own. Disembodied voices have been heard, as well as other strange sounds. There is reportedly a young girl in a blue dress who runs around the auditorium and visitors are often told to keep an eye out for her.
Some visitors have even heard a woman moaning in the basement bathroom. According to legends, during the Louisiana Hayride a woman gave birth in the bathroom. People think that she comes back and relives the moment. Other audible sounds which can be heard in the auditorium are clapping and a voice that says “I love Johnny Cash”.
Various TV crews about the paranormal have been to the auditorium to investigate it.
Brief History
The auditorium has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2008 and it has also been designated as a National Historic Landmark. The auditorium was designed by Seymour Van Os and Samuel G. Wiener, both architects, and was constructed by Ashton Glassell Company from Shreveport.
The Municipal Memorial Auditorium is also fondly called “The Muni” by locals. It has more than 3,000 seats and is used for family shows, concerts, boxing events, Broadway plays and various special events. It once hosted the Louisiana Hayride which was a popular program back in the days. Some of its prominent guests were Hank Williams, Elvis Presley, Slim Whitman, and Johnny Cash.
The auditorium went through renovations in 1994 and it has been improved greatly. It now has air conditioning, ramps, elevators, as well as modern restrooms. However, it has not been fully restored yet.