Changes

==Family heritage==

==Family heritage==

 

Allen preferred to use the first initial "L," rather than the unusual name "Littleberry."  He was "Calhoun Allen" or "L. Calhoun Allen, Jr.," to the public, not "Littleberry Allen" or some other combination. "Littleberry" had been his grandfather, who was born in [[Virginia]] in 1862 and had relocated to [[Alabama]] and then to Shreveport near the end of the 19th century. Littleberry Calhoun Allen, Sr., who used the designation "L. C. Allen", was a businessman, a Shreveport city council member, a grand master of the Masonic  lodge, and a [[Baptist]], who staunchly opposed liquor use and sales to the extent that he would support [[Prohibition Party]] causes and candidates, rather than the heavily favored Democratic nominees. L. C. Allen established what became Allen Manufacturing Company and Caddo Lumber Company. Littleberry Allen died of  Bright's disease early in the 20th century. Therefore, L. Calhoun Allen was really L. Calhoun Allen, III, but he instead used "Jr.," because his contemporaries did not know his grandfather as "L. C. Allen, I." And Calhoun Allen named his son, "L. Calhoun Allen, III".​

Allen preferred to use the first initial "L," rather than the unusual name "Littleberry."  He was "Calhoun Allen" or "L. Calhoun Allen, Jr.," to the public, not "Littleberry Allen" or some other combination. "Littleberry" had been his grandfather, who was born in [[Virginia]] in 1862 and had relocated to [[Alabama]] and then to Shreveport near the end of the 19th century. Littleberry Calhoun Allen, Sr., who used the designation "L. C. Allen", was a businessman, a Shreveport city council member, a grand master of the Masonic  lodge, and a [[Baptist]], who staunchly opposed liquor use and sales to the extent that he would support [[Prohibition Party]] causes and candidates, rather than the heavily favored Democratic nominees. L. C. Allen established what became Allen Manufacturing Company and Caddo Lumber Company. Littleberry Allen died of  Bright's disease early in the 20th century. Therefore, L. Calhoun Allen was really L. Calhoun Allen, III, but he instead used "Jr.," because his contemporaries did not know his grandfather as "L. C. Allen, I." And Calhoun Allen named his son, "L. Calhoun Allen, III".​

In addition to the Allen campaign, Republicans in 1956 offered a congressional candidate in Louisiana's 2nd congressional district, which then encompassed parts of New Orleans and suburban Jefferson Parish. He was George R. Blue, an attorney. Attracted to Blue's candidacy but still a Democrat was a young Metairie attorney, [[David C. Treen]], who would later become the first Louisiana Republican to win a seat in Congress<ref>Grover Rees, III, ''Dave Treen of Louisiana'' (Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Moran Publishing Company, 1979), p. 40.</ref> and to hold the governorship as well, beginning in March 1980.​

In addition to the Allen campaign, Republicans in 1956 offered a congressional candidate in Louisiana's 2nd congressional district, which then encompassed parts of New Orleans and suburban Jefferson Parish. He was George R. Blue, an attorney. Attracted to Blue's candidacy but still a Democrat was a young Metairie attorney, [[David C. Treen]], who would later become the first Louisiana Republican to win a seat in Congress<ref>Grover Rees, III, ''Dave Treen of Louisiana'' (Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Moran Publishing Company, 1979), p. 40.</ref> and to hold the governorship as well, beginning in March 1980.​

Eisenhower easily won Louisiana in 1956, the first Republican presidential victory in the state since the disputed election of [[Rutherford B. Hayes]] in 1876. He led in 43 parishes and polled 329,047 votes (53.2 percent) to Stevenson's 243,977 (39.5 percent). The[States' Rights Party of Louisiana received 44,520 votes (7.2 percent).<ref name=1956returns>Louisiana Secretary of State, General election returns, November 6, 1956.</ref> Stevenson ran nearly 100,000 votes behind his showing in Louisiana four years earlier.​

Eisenhower easily won Louisiana in 1956, the first Republican presidential victory in the state since the disputed election of [[Rutherford B. Hayes]] in 1876. He led in 43 parishes and polled 329,047 votes (53.2 percent) to Stevenson's 243,977 (39.5 percent). The States' Rights Party of Louisiana received 44,520 votes (7.2 percent).<ref name=1956returns>Louisiana Secretary of State, General election returns, November 6, 1956.</ref> Stevenson ran nearly 100,000 votes behind his showing in Louisiana four years earlier.​

In the Fourth District House race, Brooks won every parish and easily defeated Allen, 40,583 (68.1 percent) to 19,041 (31.9 percent). Allen's strongest support was in his native Caddo and in neighboring DeSoto Parish, where he received 34.6 and 34.5 percent, respectively. Brooks' margins were even greater in the parishes of Bienville, Bossier, Claiborne, Red River, and Webster.<ref name=1956returns/>

In the Fourth District House race, Brooks won every parish and easily defeated Allen, 40,583 (68.1 percent) to 19,041 (31.9 percent). Allen's strongest support was in his native Caddo and in neighboring DeSoto Parish, where he received 34.6 and 34.5 percent, respectively. Brooks' margins were even greater in the parishes of Bienville, Bossier, Claiborne, Red River, and Webster.<ref name=1956returns/>

In the Second District, incumbent Thomas Hale Boggs (1914-1972) defeated George Blue by a margin only slightly less impressive than Brooks' triumph over Allen, 69,715 (64.5 percent) to 38,344 (35.5 percent).<ref name=1956returns/> Like Allen, Blue would later switch to the Democratic Party. Whereas Allen became a city commissioner and then mayor and even later briefly a city council member, Blue was elected in 1964 to an at-large seat in the Louisiana House of Representatives  from Jefferson Parish.​

In the Second District, incumbent Thomas Hale Boggs (1914-1972) defeated George Blue by a margin only slightly less impressive than Brooks' triumph over Allen, 69,715 (64.5 percent) to 38,344 (35.5 percent).<ref name=1956returns/> Like Allen, Blue would later switch to the Democratic Party. Whereas Allen became a city commissioner and then mayor and even later briefly a city council member, Blue was elected in 1964 to an at-large seat in the Louisiana House of Representatives  from Jefferson Parish.​

 

==Election as mayor==

==Election as mayor==

[[Charles Scott]], a native of [[Natchitoches, Louisiana|Natchitoches]], Louisiana, began his judicial career in the Allen administration as an assistant city attorney from 1971 to 1973. He was subsequently a long-term state court judge and from 2009 until his death in office on April 22, 2015, the Caddo Parish district attorney.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/local/2015/04/22/da-charles-scott-death-huge-loss/26193017/|title=DA Charles Scott's death 'huge loss' for area|author=John Andrew Prime|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|date=April 22, 2015|accessdate=April 25, 2015}}</ref>​

[[Charles Scott]], a native of [[Natchitoches, Louisiana|Natchitoches]], Louisiana, began his judicial career in the Allen administration as an assistant city attorney from 1971 to 1973. He was subsequently a long-term state court judge and from 2009 until his death in office on April 22, 2015, the Caddo Parish district attorney.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/local/2015/04/22/da-charles-scott-death-huge-loss/26193017/|title=DA Charles Scott's death 'huge loss' for area|author=John Andrew Prime|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|date=April 22, 2015|accessdate=April 25, 2015}}</ref>​

 

In 1971, a Republican, [[George A. Burton]], won a [[special election]] in Shreveport for the vacant position of finance commissioner created by the death of Dwight Saur. A Certified Public Accountant, Burton ran again in the regular 1974 elections. That year, he had the tacit support of "independent" Mayor Allen, who swept to an easy reelection. Burton polled 17,488 votes (68.8 percent), while the Democrat (later Republican) David R. Carroll (1926–2011), a [[Mississippi]] native and a Caddo Parish police juror,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/shreveporttimes/obituary.aspx?n=david-r-carroll&pid=152770391|title=David R. Carroll obituary|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|date=July 27, 2011|accessdate=August 4, 2011}}</ref> received 7,938 ballots (31.2 percent). Burton's running mate, Billy Guin, polled 43.7 percent in his second contest—the first was in 1970—against incumbent Democratic Public Utilities Commissioner William "Bill" Collins, who had succeeded Allen in that position. A civil engineer and a businessman, Guin also entered another special election for utilities commissioner in 1977, when Collins resigned the post. Guin won with 51 percent of the vote and served the remaining year and a half of Collins' second term. He implemented many reforms in the department and then ran unsuccessfully in 1978 as a Republican candidate for mayor under the new form of city government.​

In 1971, a Republican, [[George A. Burton]], won a [[special election]] in Shreveport for the vacant position of finance commissioner created by the death of Dwight Saur. A Certified Public Accountant, Burton ran again in the regular 1974 elections. That year, he had the tacit support of "independent" Mayor Allen, who swept to an easy reelection. Burton polled 17,488 votes (68.8 percent), while the Democrat (later Republican) David R. Carroll (1926–2011), a [[Mississippi]] native and a Caddo Parish police juror,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/shreveporttimes/obituary.aspx?n=david-r-carroll&pid=152770391|title=David R. Carroll obituary|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|date=July 27, 2011|accessdate=August 4, 2011}}</ref> received 7,938 ballots (31.2 percent). Burton's running mate, Billy Guin, polled 43.7 percent in his second contest—the first was in 1970—against incumbent Democratic Public Utilities Commissioner William "Bill" Collins, who had succeeded Allen in that position. A civil engineer and a businessman, Guin also entered another special election for utilities commissioner in 1977, when Collins resigned the post. Guin won with 51 percent of the vote and served the remaining year and a half of Collins' second term. He implemented many reforms in the department and then ran unsuccessfully in 1978 as a Republican candidate for mayor under the new form of city government.​

In 1976, Allen joined neighboring Mayor [[James Cathey]] of [[Bossier City]] in hosting  [[U.S. President]] [[Gerald Ford]], in a question-and-answer session for local officials. At the time Ford was in Louisiana campaigning against former [[Governor]] [[Ronald W. Reagan]] of [[California]] for the Republican presidential nomination.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/library/document/diary/pdd760427.pdf|title=The Daily Diary of President Gerald R. Ford|date=April 27, 1976|publisher=fordlibrarymuseum.gov|accessdate=December 24, 2014}}</ref>​

In 1976, Allen joined neighboring Mayor [[James Cathey]] of [[Bossier City]] in hosting  [[U.S. President]] [[Gerald Ford]], in a question-and-answer session for local officials. At the time Ford was in Louisiana campaigning against former [[Governor]] [[Ronald W. Reagan]] of [[California]] for the Republican presidential nomination.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/library/document/diary/pdd760427.pdf|title=The Daily Diary of President Gerald R. Ford|date=April 27, 1976|publisher=fordlibrarymuseum.gov|accessdate=December 24, 2014}}</ref>​

Allen did not seek a third term in 1978, although he was eligible to have done so. Several factors are believed to have contributed to his decision to step down:<br>

Allen did not seek a third term in 1978, although he was eligible to have done so. Several factors are believed to have contributed to his decision to step down:

* (1) troubles in the public utilities department, which Guin had largely rectified,

* (1) troubles in the public utilities department, which Guin had largely rectified,

* (2) an ill-fated plan to purchase new city water meters, and

* (2) an ill-fated plan to purchase new city water meters, and

* (3) his tenure as a full-time city official had already reached sixteen years.​

* (3) his tenure as a full-time city official had already reached sixteen years.​

In 1978, Shreveport changed from the commission system to the mayor-council single-member district format with term limits. The newly elected mayor, Democrat William Thomas "Bill" Hanna, Jr., a former [[Ford]] Motor Company automobile dealer who defeated fellow Democrat Don Hathaway, hence exerted executive powers to a "legislative" council of seven members, where a divided 4-3 vote could often prove decisive. Hanna was elected as a "reform" candidate.​

In 1978, Shreveport changed from the commission system to the mayor-council single-member district format with term limits. The newly elected mayor, Democrat William Thomas "Bill" Hanna, Jr., a former [[Ford]] Motor Company automobile dealer who defeated fellow Democrat Don Hathaway, hence exerted executive powers to a "legislative" council of seven members, where a divided 4–3 vote could often prove decisive. Hanna was elected as a "reform" candidate.​

 

==Personal life==

==Personal life==

In addition to his political activities, Allen was a strong civic leader. He was a member of the Louisiana State Fair Board, chairman of the State Fair Stadium Commission, and a commissioner of the since renamed Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. He was vice president of the Red River Valley Association, which pushed successfully for the navigation of the Red River south of Shreveport to the junction with the [[Mississippi River]]. He was a vice president of the Louisiana Municipal Association, chairman of the Shreve Area Council of Government, and a member of the Shreveport Airport Authority and the Parks and Recreation Council. He was a past president of the executive board of the Norwela Council of the [[Boy Scouts]]. Allen was also a member of the ArkLaTex Ambassadors, Holiday in Dixie, Kiwanis International, Joppa Lodge, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.<ref name=obit>''The Shreveport Times,'' February 24, 1991.</ref>​

In addition to his political activities, Allen was a strong civic leader. He was a member of the Louisiana State Fair Board, chairman of the State Fair Stadium Commission, and a commissioner of the since renamed Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. He was vice president of the Red River Valley Association, which pushed successfully for the navigation of the Red River south of Shreveport to the junction with the [[Mississippi River]]. He was a vice president of the Louisiana Municipal Association, chairman of the Shreve Area Council of Government, and a member of the Shreveport Airport Authority and the Parks and Recreation Council. He was a past president of the executive board of the Norwela Council of the [[Boy Scouts]]. Allen was also a member of the ArkLaTex Ambassadors, Holiday in Dixie, Kiwanis International, Joppa Lodge, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.<ref name=obit>''The Shreveport Times,'' February 24, 1991.</ref>​

When he vacated the mayoralty, Allen became the coordinator for planning and development of Louisiana State University Medical Center in Shreveport, having served in that capacity from 1979 to 1988. Allen even staged a brief political comeback in 1990, when he won one of the single-member council seats under the mayor-council form of government. He served only a few weeks, for he died soon thereafter of a sudden illness at the Schumpert Medical Center in Shreveport.<ref name=obit/>​

When he vacated the mayoralty, Allen became the coordinator for planning and development of Louisiana State University Medical Center in Shreveport, having served in that capacity from 1979 to 1988. Allen even staged a brief political comeback in 1990, when he won one of the single-member council seats under the mayor-council form of government. He served only a few weeks, for he died soon thereafter of a sudden illness at the Schumpert Medical Center in Shreveport.<ref name=obit/>​

 

Allen was twice married. In 1948, he wed the former Mary Miller. From this marriage were born a son, L. Calhoun Allen, III, then of [[San Antonio]], [[Texas]], and a daughter, Frances Olivia Allen. The marriage lasted until Mary's death in 1975. Thereafter, Allen married Jacqueline Spell Schober and acquired two stepchildren, John K Schober and Lisa Schober Smith.<ref name=obit/>​

Allen was twice married. In 1948, he wed the former Mary Miller. From this marriage were born a son, L. Calhoun Allen, III, then of [[San Antonio]], [[Texas]], and a daughter, Frances Olivia Allen. The marriage lasted until Mary's death in 1975. Thereafter, Allen married Jacqueline Spell Schober and acquired two stepchildren, John K Schober and Lisa Schober Smith.<ref name=obit/>​

Allen's funeral service was held at the Holy Cross [[Episcopal Church]] in Shreveport. Burial was in Greenwood Cemetery in Shreveport.<ref name=obit/>​

Allen's funeral service was held at the Holy Cross [[Episcopal Church]] in Shreveport. Burial was in Greenwood Cemetery in Shreveport.<ref name=obit/>​

Allen was honored by the L. Calhoun Allen Exposition Hall on the Clyde Fant Parkway. The facility was part of the Red River convention complex but was considered too small for conventions but suitable for gun shows and similar events, but the acoustics rendered it undesirable for concerts. The facility was hence renamed StageWorks of Louisiana.​

Allen was honored by the L. Calhoun Allen Exposition Hall on the Clyde Fant Parkway. The facility was part of the Red River convention complex but was considered too small for conventions but suitable for gun shows and similar events, but the acoustics rendered it undesirable for concerts. The facility was hence renamed StageWorks of Louisiana.​

 

==References==

==References==

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