Mooretown and Hollywood Heights

The neighborhood of Mooretown and Hollywood Heights has a unique history and appears to be a community ready to undergo revitalization. The area was founded in the early 1900s by a group of African Americans led by Giles D. Moore and grew to be a completely independent town by the time it was annexed by Shreveport in the late 1940s. Mr. Moore also created Hollywood Avenue as a sort of downtown for his city. Today, the area is called Hollywood Heights, and the avenue still runs through it. Part of Mooretown – or Motown, as locals call it – the neighborhood has a large and diverse population. There are also bus stops located along Hollywood Avenue and downtown if just six miles away.

Homes in the Mooretown area are a lovely mix of mid-century houses, cottages, bungalows, and contemporary styles. Many of the houses were built in the 1950s and 1960s, and most are constructed of wood. Side-gabled roofs are a common sight, and lot sizes here tend to be a quarter acre. Prices range from $30,000 for a two-bedroom cottage needing renovation to $200,000 for a four-bedroom brick ranch-style home.

Students are part of the Caddo Parish Public Schools district and might attend schools like South Highlands Elementary Magnet, Caddo Middle Magnet, or Booker T. Washington High. South Highlands and Caddo Middle have earned an A-minus ranking from Niche, while Washington High has a C-minus. The elementary school is a two-time recipient of the National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence award and has been designated the George Rodrigue Arts Integration Lab School to honor the Acadian artist who created the world-renown Blue Dog paintings. Caddo Middle is one of the state’s top 50 middle schools and has two spirit squads to support nearly a dozen sports teams, including fencing, archery and swimming. Washington High is technologically focused and offers a dual enrollment program with Southern University at Shreveport.

Green spaces dot Mooretown and Hollywood Heights and one of the city’s largest sports complexes is found just outside its borders. The Cargill Sports Complex consists of 13 soccer fields, 10 lighted softball and baseball fields, and a BMX track. Used for tournament and league play, the multiuse complex has two championship fields and two sets of four regular fields. People travel from all over the state of Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, Tennessee, Oklahoma, and more to play a game here. In addition, the complex has picnic areas, covered stands and dugouts, concessions, bleachers, a pavilion, and a playground.

Nearby, the Shreve Memorial Library-Mooretown Branch is a valued community resource. In 1989, the community asked the main library for local service, and a library room was opened in the Airport Park Recreation Center. Books were donated by the public, and before long a larger facility was needed. Today’s stand-alone branch was opened in 2003 with a nearly $2 million building. Perhaps the most striking feature of the building is the large tile mural depicting the neighborhood’s history over the circulation desk. This institution holds events like Jeopardy night, Storytime, and movie showings.

Taking up much of the land in the Mooretown/Hollywood Heights neighborhood is Shreveport Regional Airport. Opened in 1931, the original airfield was located in the heart of downtown. After 20 years as the city’s only commercial airport, the end of World War II saw a need for a larger airport arise. The facility was moved to the then Western edge of the city, and in 1952, the new airport opened with a nearly 5,000-foot-long runway. Since then, there have been two further expansions with new concourses, connector bridges, and a consolidated ticketing counters space. Today, the airport hosts four major airlines serving seven major US cities.

If your travels have made you hungry, Southern Classic Chicken is a family institution that’s been serving North Louisiana for almost 40 years. The company began expanding in 2019 and has become a regional chain. There are no burgers here, only fried chicken and sides like sweet corn grits and Cajun rice.

The Mooretown/Hollywood Heights neighborhood is ready for revitalization. Near major roadways, the airport, and with several green spaces, this area is a potential bedroom community offering residents easy access to downtown and everyday essentials.

Written By

K.T. Phillips

Photography Contributed By

Michael Rutt

Video By

Becky Gaskill