History Unveiled: The Dripp Donuts Building Might be 152 years old
SHREVEPORT, La. – A wave of excitement swept over local historians as they discovered eye-opening evidence pointing towards the possibility that the iconic downtown location of Dripp Donuts may be 152 years old, according to documents unearthed recently.
Connecting Dots Through History
Local history enthusiasts Mike and Mark Mangham, have discovered a treasure trove of newspaper clippings and photographs that suggest the Dripp Donuts building was initially constructed in 1872. This claim, if verified, would make the structure one of the oldest still-standing establishments in the city.
These revelations came to the forefront when the Manghams were investigating the building’s history due to some apparent structural issues. “We knew the building was old. We estimated its construction date somewhere in the 1890s. But while going through the Sanborn maps—fire insurance maps from the 1880s—we noticed that the building was already there,” shared Mike Mangham.
Evidence Hidden in the Past
However, it was an old newspaper clipping, dated April 20, 1872, that presented much-needed clarity to their investigation. The text mentions a certain J. Dreyfuss leasing a “fine iron front store”, currently under construction at the corner of Texas and Market streets. This leads the Manghams to conclude that the building might have been erected during that time.
If the building did indeed date back to 1872, a mere 39 years after Shreveport’s founding, it would cement its status as an integral part of the city’s history. Over the years, it served as J. Dreyfuss Dry Goods, Western Auto, Dees Photo, and most recently as Dripp Donuts. It’s future now hangs in the balance due to the structural problems it faces.
Preserving Historical Heritage
“When you understand its history, you start seeing it differently. I’m surprised the wind doesn’t blow it over,” says Mike Mangham. With recent developments potentially threatening the historic structure, the Manghams are hopeful that their findings would encourage more preventative maintenance for other old buildings in the downtown area.
They argue that the memories of Shreveport are invariably tied to the architectures that have stood the test of time. “Our primary focus is not only on the buildings, but also on the people who came before us. We want to focus on our grandparents and great grandparents who once graced these structures,” Mike Mangham added.
Efforts are still in progress to reach out to the Downtown Shreveport Development Corporation, the current owner of the building, for their comment on the future plans for the historic structure.