Do you know where the water you drink comes from? If you’re in the Shreveport area, you may have passed the historic Shreveport Waterworks Pumping Station (also known as the McNeill Street Water Treatment Plant) without giving it much thought, but it happens to have a very unique history that you may be surprised to learn. In the late 1800s, Louisiana was at the forefront of water treatment and distribution, and you can visit the museum today to learn all about the history of water distribution in northern Louisiana.
Built in 1887, the McNeill Street Water Treatment Plant was the first waterworks built in a post-Civil War South, and only the second one in Louisiana.
It was the first water plant in Shreveport, too.
The facility added filtration in 1890, which may not seem unusual today but back then, it was an unusual technology.
When they began to add chlorine in the treatment process in 1911, it was one of the first facilities in the entire country to do so.
When you visit, you’ll get see all of the original structures and tour through a century’s worth of water pumping equipment.
There are sedimentation basins from 1887, exterior filters from the 1940s, and so much more.
It's a fascinating little time capsule to explore.
While the steam-powered facility was initially a groundbreaking technology, it didn’t take long for the once-state-of-the-art machinery to become obsolete.
The city continued to use the steam pumps into the 1970s before switching over to the more advanced, electric pumping stations.
The station was closed down in 1980, making it the nation’s last steam-powered waterworks facility.
Shortly after it was added to a National Historic Landmark in 1982 and designated as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 1999.
The museum is free to enter, and it’s a great place for families with kids of all ages to visit.
Hours of operation:
Tuesday - Saturday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Sunday: 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Have you visited this unique museum? Share your experience with us in the comments!
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