It is an Art Deco building constructed between 1926 and 1929 during the administration of Mayor Lee Emmett Thomas as a memorial to the servicemen of World War I.

[2][5] The building also became a contributing property of Shreveport Commercial Historic District when its boundaries were increased on May 16, 1997.

[7] During its heyday, from 1948 to 1960, the program spawned the careers of some of the greatest names in American Country and Rockabilly music.

The Hayride regularly featured performers, such as Hank Williams, Slim Whitman, Jim Reeves, Johnny Cash, Johnny Horton, and Elvis Presley, who got his start at this venue.

Recent improvements to the auditorium have included air conditioning, renovated restrooms, installation of ramps and an elevator.