Springhill is a rural city with shops, a hospital and events
Nestled among the pine-tree forests in Northwest Louisiana, Springhill is a rural city with a lot going on. “People like living in Springhill because it’s quiet,” says Amber Cobb, executive director of the Springhill North Webster Chamber of Commerce. “We’re kind of the perfect blend of small-town charm and modern convenience.” These conveniences range from local restaurants and grocery stores to a hospital with an emergency room in the city. There are several events throughout the year, including the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA) ’s Springhill Rodeo. “We’re at this weird intersection of crazy events and a slow pace of living,” Cobb says.
Springfield has single-story homes surrounded by pine trees
Pine trees dot flat, grassy lawns that stretch to the road. While most properties are half an acre or less, some lots exceed 20 acres. Driveways often lead to carports, although there are some garages. Single-story homes make up most of the market, including cottages from the early to mid-1900s and ranch-style houses from the mid-20th century. Depending on size and condition, most smaller homes cost $60,000 to $170,000, while larger properties cost $170,000 to $360,000.
Education includes Webster Parish Schools and a homeschool co-op
Most students attend Webster Parish Schools. Prekindergartners through second graders attend Browning Elementary, which earns a B from Niche. Third through fifth graders go to the C-rated Brown Upper Elementary, and North Webster Junior High has a C-plus. North Webster High School, which scores a B-minus, offers career and technical education through JumpStart, where pathways include Carpenter’s Helper and Business Management. Magnolia Bend Academy is a homeschool co-op that meets a few times weekly at Open Door Fellowship Church.
Dining ranges from Chania Greek Restaurant to Butler House Bistro
Springhill residents have countless dining options to pick from. “We have a really wide variety of places to eat,” Cobb says. “Anything from Greek to Mexican to down-home cooking to Chinese, we have it.” Chania Greek Restaurant is a community favorite that makes all its meals from scratch. “The owners are really keen on, ‘Just come try it and we’ll walk you through the menu,’” Cobb says. At Butler House Bistro, the menu consists of Southern Comfort foods like meatloaf and crawfish étouffée. Chavo’s Mexican Restaurant serves Tex-Mex. After dinner, locals can catch a movie at the longstanding Spring Theatre, which opened in 146 and re-opened in 2002 after major renovations. People buy fresh produce, baked goods and artisan crafts from the Springhill Farmers Market. The market runs on the first Saturday from April to October. Grocery options include Piggly Wiggly and Walmart.
Outdoor recreation includes City Park, a bayou and Lake Erling
Between community parks and nearby lakes and bayous, Springhill has several opportunities to get outdoors. Springhill City Park is on Main Street and has a playground, picnic area and gazebo. Melvin Boucher Park has athletic fields, including a baseball diamond. Watersports, kayaking and fishing are popular among locals, with Bayou Bodcau and Bayou Dorcheat nearby. People travel 6 miles across state lines to Lake Erling in Arkansas, where they go boating and birdwatching. “They have bald eagles that nest on the lake; it’s beautiful,” Cobb says. The Springhill Pedestrian/Bicycle Path goes through the city, offering recreation and a pedestrian-friendly way to get around.
Events like the Lumberjack Festival and annual rodeo build community
Springhill residents have several events to look forward to. “A lot of people really like Springhill because we have a really good sense of community, and we harvest that sense through community events,” Cobb says. Residents celebrate the holidays with Christmas Wonderland, which has a Christmas parade, a craft market and photos with Santa. The Lumberjack Festival is every October and has live music, a vintage tractor, and a car show. The year’s largest event is the Springhill Rodeo, which has been running for over 70 years. Some of its most popular programming includes cowgirl’s barrel racing and steer racing. The rodeo is late in the season, so many competitors are trying to qualify for the PRCA’s Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. “Our rodeo is the last-ditch effort, so we get a lot of cowboys and it’s very exciting,” Cobb says.
U.S. Route 371 and State Route 157 lead to Shreveport
Most Springhill residents drive themselves, with two major highways, U.S. Route 371 and State Route 157, going through the city. “Because we’re just a two-highway town, if you need to walk, it’s totally doable,” Cobb says. While Springhill does have an airport, it is reserved for private flights and paragliders. Instead, residents fly out of Shreveport Regional Airport, which has nonstop flights to nine cities. There is an emergency room at Springhill Medical Center.
According to First Street, Springhill has a major risk of windstorms like tornadoes.
