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Explore the Lake Charles historic district
Get a feel for the Lake Charles’ past by exploring The Charpentier District. The district is on the National Register of 
Historic Places and covers 40 blocks with hundreds of turn-of-the-century buildings of mixed styles. Even though each building has its own unique charm from wrap-around porches to gambles to towers to gingerbread there is one distinct Lake Charles feature – the Lake Charles Column. It is unique in that the paneled, slightly tapered square column developed in Lake Charles around 1905 and can be found on a variety of buildings. The Margaret Place section of the historic district has a wonderful collection of Victorian architecture from the 1800s. A family who must have been preparing for a Halloween celebration came out on their porch to wave to us – true Southern Hospitality.
During the 1800s, experienced lumbermen known locally as "Michigan Men" arrived in Lake Charles. They introduced the Victorian architectural style popular in America at the time. However, the 1911 City Hall is Spanish Baroque. The architecture of the area is an eclectic mix; or, as they say “making gumbo out of anything including architecture.” Visitors can take a walking or driving tour of the historic district, or enjoy a carriage ride. Carriage rides leave from the newly completed Lakefront Promenade. For more information check Visitlakecharles.org.
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