The Historic Caddo Lake Drawbridge
Mooringsport, Louisiana

Caddo Lake Drawbridge Centennial - 2014

Centennial Ceremony Saturday, September 13, 2014 Edwin Tuttle Currie Park, Mooringsport, Louisiana
Centennial Ceremony Program

	Cast Bronze Waddell & Harrington Lift Bridge Patent Plaque In August 2014, Louisiana Department of Transportation & Development (DOTD) returned two matching bronze plaques that convey the Waddell & Harrington Lift Bridge patent information. This included the eight original bolts that held the plaques to the bridge’s tower since 1914. The plaques were removed in the early 1990’s when the drawbridge was still scheduled for demolition by DOTD. On Friday, September 12, 2014, one of the plaques was mounted back on the drawbridge in the original location using the original bolts. The second plaque was placed on display during the Mooringsport Cypress Festival & Centennial Ceremony.
	Opening of the Centennial Ceremony by Darren Guin Mooringsport Native & Started/Led the several year endeavor to save the Caddo Lake Drawbridge as a Pedestrian Walkway, Civil Engineering Landmark, and Tourist Attraction.
	First Guest Speak - Mr. Todd Hopkins Speaking on behalf of his late father, Honorable Roy “Hoppy” Hopkins - Caddo Parish Commission, Louisiana House of Representatives, House Appropriations Committee, & State Highway Board Mr. Roy Hopkins had previously served on the Caddo Parish Police Jury which became the Caddo Parish Commission in 1984. He also had served as the first president of the newly formed Caddo Parish Commission. State Representative Hopkins was in full support of saving the Caddo Lake Drawbridge and believed that our rich history, and icons of that history, were worth preserving.
	Second Guest Speaker - Mr. Jack "Jay" Murrell Former Caddo Parish Commissioner during the early 1990's when the commission voted to accept donation of the Caddo Lake Drawbridge back into the Caddo Parish System. He worked with his colleague, Mr. James Williamson of Vivian, which was Mooringsport's representative on the Caddo Parish Commission - District One.
	Third Guest Speaker - Mr. Larry Raymond Former Director of Caddo Parish Department of Parks & Recreation
	Mr. Larry Raymond was instrumental in erecting the bridge’s informational kiosk that is at the bridge site today plus making minor modifications to the bridge to make it safe for pedestrians and the boaters below while respecting the integrity of the historic structure. He also located the original blue prints of the drawbridge in the parish archives and was a great help in having the bridge nominated for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
	Fourth Guest Speaker - Ms. Stacy Brown President of the Shreveport – Bossier Convention & Tourist Bureau
	The Shreveport – Bossier Convention & Tourist Bureau has played a role from the early days of the saving endeavor to currently marketing the unique structure to tourists.
	Honorable Douglas "Doug" Dominick President of the Caddo Parish Commission & North Caddo Commissioner of District One "Resolution Honoring the Mooringsport Drawbridge & Friends on their 100th Anniversary"
	The conclusion of the historic Caddo Lake Drawbridge Centennial Ceremony
Proclamation issued by the Caddo Parish Commission Read by the Honorable Douglas Dominick Caddo Parish Commission President
	Cast Bronze Waddell & Harrington Lift Bridge Patent Plaque In August 2014, Louisiana Department of Transportation & Development (DOTD) returned two matching bronze plaques that convey the Waddell & Harrington Lift Bridge patent information. This included the eight original bolts that held the plaques to the bridge’s tower since 1914. The plaques were removed in the early 1990’s when the drawbridge was still scheduled for demolition by DOTD. Friday, September 12, 2014, one of the plaques was mounted back on the drawbridge in the original location using the original bolts by Caddo Parish Department of Parks & Recreation..
	WADDELL & HARRINGTON LIFT BRIDGE PATENTED IN U.S.A.; AUG. 24,‘09; MAR. 22,‘10; MAR. 29,‘10; MAY. 31,‘11. OTHER PATENTS PENDING PATENTED IN CANADA FEB. 1, 1910. MAR. 8, 1910.