We have here in the Alexandria-Pineville area some of the most fantastic tourism opportunity attractions that are completely ignored .
It is beyond me why Provo, Utah has a large historic site and has a steady stream of tourist for the site of the golden spike connecting both sides of the United States by railroad…. Millions of dollars in tourism income.
In 1835 here in Alexandria, a man by the name of Ralph Smith Smith bought the right of way to fifteen miles of land between Alexandria and Lecompte. (Then known as Smith’s landing.)
Did you know that this railroad, known as the Red River Railroad was the FIRST railroad west of the Mississippi? It also was the second commercial railroad in the United States.
If Provo, Utah can capitalize on the connection of the railroad from one coast to another, why can’t Alexandria make use of the distinction of having the first railroad west of the Mississippi and the second railroad in the U.S?
What is wrong with this ignored fact?
I have talked about it before, but it continues to fall on deaf ear’s..
And there are many more things that are being ignored that would bring in tourist revenue..Our tourism promotion is one of the worst in the state.
They can not seem to look past the same old tired outdated, half-hearted promotions. (Using a cartoon type character for local promotions.)
Alex
