This building is part of cinema history in Shreveport, and now it's for sale
A historic building in downtown Shreveport is for sale.
The Saenger Drug Building located at 634 Milam Street is on the market for $325,000. This historic building is one of Louisiana's best-kept secrets and helped launch the film industry in America.
In the early 1900s the Saenger brothers, Jilian and Abe, built and opened the Saenger Drug Store which was one of America's first 24/7 pharmacies.
This drug store doubled as a soda fountain and was elaborately dressed with tin ceilings, marble countertops and chandeliers throughout the main floor.
On the upper levels of the building, a 22-room hotel lodged many transient guests. According to prior reporting by the Shreveport Times, brass numbers mark the doors and porcelain sinks still connect to the tenant room walls.
The Saenger brothers were true entrepreneurs and began their journey when they moved from Virginia and apprenticed under Shreveport's pioneer druggists. After training for five years, they opened Saenger Drug Company opening a new world of retail.
Their itch for entrepreneurial ventures did not end there. In 1912 the brothers organized the Saenger Amusement Company which grew into the largest motion picture chain in the south.
The brothers reached their peak with a total of 324 Saenger theaters operating in 12 southern states before selling to Paramount for $10 million.
According to the Louisiana Commercial Database, the Saenger brothers' success began at the corner of Louisiana and Milam Street in the drug store.
Since the 1990s this building has stood vacant, formerly home to the Standard Brand Shoes and other retail stores.
To learn more about this property contact Pinnacle Realty at 318-233-1045.
More: Shreveport historic downtown building gets a new lease on life
Makenzie Boucher is a reporter with the Shreveport Times. Contact her at mboucher@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Louisiana's best kept secret is for sale in downtown Shreveport
