Heating & Air in Oil City

Oil City at a glance

Oil City is a small town of 901 people (2020) in northwestern Caddo Parish on Louisiana Highway 1, north of Caddo Lake and about 21 miles from downtown Shreveport. Cypress trees, Spanish moss and still water around Caddo Lake create one of the most humid settings in the region.

What that means for your heating and air

Homes here are mostly older single-family houses and lake properties. Damp air from the lake makes humidity control and AC maintenance especially important; see humidity and air quality. Mold on vents is a common complaint in older systems. Boathouses and lake cabins often run small window units or a single mini-split, which need cleaning more often in the damp.

Near the lake

Caddo Lake's cypress swamps keep the air heavy and humid much of the year, and Vivian is 9 miles to the north. Some of the area's homes date from the early oil years, built quickly and updated many times since. Its name is a reminder of the drilling rigs that once stood in the lake itself.

An oil boom name

The town's name recalls the early oil fields around Caddo Lake, and its old railroad depot briefly held a local museum in 2025. The park in town honors Earl Williamson, who served 40 years on the Caddo Parish police jury. Many homes here are good candidates for ductless units in add-ons and camps; see ductless mini-splits. Commuters drive Highway 1 to Shreveport, a little over 20 miles away.