DOWNTOWN LOUISIANA
THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT

Whether composed of several streets or one central thoroughfare (often known as Main Street), every community has a downtown. Until the middle of the twentieth century, that downtown was the focus of public life, i.e., the place where all local residents came to work and play. It was also the destination of nearby rural residents, who looked forward all week to their Saturday in town. Additionally, downtown was the site of local government and sometimes of parish government as well.

During the nineteenth and early decades of the twentieth century, downtown thrived. Prosperity allowed the replacement of older, fire-prone wooden buildings with brick construction. Business districts grew as party wall buildings of varying heights lined the streets. Many lacked any form of decoration, while the facades of others displayed restrained adaptations of Victorian and early twentieth century styles. The Italianate was a popular style for commercial buildings. Another popular decorative treatment was the placement of fancy brickwork patterns on otherwise plain surfaces. Activity and merchandise filled the streets. Nevertheless, life downtown had its negative aspects. Unpaved roads were muddy or dusty, depending upon the weather. Insects and a variety of unpleasant animal odors assailed customers. Streets were crisscrossed by telegraph and telephone wires and cluttered by signs. Without climate control, store interiors were either too hot or too cold but never comfortable. However, new technologies gradually eliminated or improved many of these problems.

Downtown reached its zenith in the late 1920s, remained frozen in time for the next two decades, then began a gradual decline. Although other factors were involved, the automobile played a major role in this downturn. Smaller towns lost customers once shoppers gained the ability to drive to larger centers offering a better variety of stores and prices. After World War II, auto related businesses such as service stations and dealerships moved to the outskirts of town where more room was available for expansion. Frustrated by congestion, parking problems, and unhappy customers, merchants also relocated in the 1950s. The result for downtown was a failing economy and demolished, severely remodeled, and empty buildings. Fortunately, many of Louisiana's downtowns are making comebacks with the help of the Main Street economic development program.