Caddo Parish Courthouse

The Caddo Parish Courthouse was a massive new building in Shreveport, notable to Harry S. Truman for its Art Deco design. During a tour, it impressed him more than any other building he saw, making the courthouse a defining architectural encounter in the account of his public-building interests.

Architectural Impression

The book identifies the courthouse as an example of the Art Deco style. Its scale and design caught Truman’s attention even though he was disdainful of modern painting: his reservations about modern art did not prevent him from admiring this modern architecture.

Truman’s Response

Truman acted on his admiration by deciding to hire the courthouse’s architect, Edward F. Neild, as a consultant. The account presents the building not simply as a sight on the tour, but as the occasion for Truman to seek out architectural expertise.

Place in His Building Interests

The courthouse belongs to a wider account of Truman’s interest in civic construction. The book later characterizes him as a creator of Missouri roads and courthouses, and as someone whose satisfaction in building extended to the restoration of the White House. The Caddo Parish Courthouse stands out within that interest as the building whose design most impressed him on the tour.