Margaret Place Celebrates 100 Years

This weekend, the annual Palm Sunday Tour of Homes will become an exceptional and unique experience of one of our city's most beloved historic landmarks thanks to the Calcasieu Historical Preservation Society. Margaret Place is a small neighborhood located between Ryan Street, Shell Beach Drive, and Dr. Michael DeBakey Drive in Lake Charles, and after the Great Fire of 1910, much of the development in Lake Charles was pushed south of the downtown area. Allen Jefferson Perkins of Perkins & Miller Lumber Mill designed the subdivision which is exemplary of the diverse bungalow architectural styles between 1912 and 1937. Saturday, March 31st, and Sunday, April 1st, will feature a great variety of events to showcase the best of the neighborhood.


Those who were lucky enough to purchase a Fan Tour ticket before the event sold out will be able to take a guided walking tour of Margaret Place on Saturday with a block party to end the evening which will have refreshments and live music by local band Soul Vacation.


Palm Sunday will be jam-packed with exclusive events, and the line up is as follows:

• 121 Artisan Bistro will host the 100th Anniversary Brunch, and there are four seatings at 9:30 a.m. (sold out), 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 12:30 a.m. Brunch ticket holders receive access to the Palm Sunday homes early!
• An exhibit featuring images from Margaret Place and ICCS will be on display from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at ICCS.
• The 37th annual Palm Sunday Tour of Homes will commence at noon, and ticket holders will get to experience interior tours of nine historic Margaret Place homes. Tickets may still be purchased at ICCS on the day of the tour for $25.00. Day-of tickets can also be purchased on Harrison near Dr. Michael DeBakey Drive, on Park Avenue near Shell Beach Drive, and in front of 205 Shell Beach Drive. 
• Due to the historical nature of Margaret Place being one of the original streetcar subdivisions, Sunday will also feature a re-enactment of the South Ryan Street Car Route. The City of Lake Charles is offering free rides on the trolley buses to nine stops within the district, and J&R Carriage will offer carriage rides two and from the Civic Center for $5 (one-way) or $10 (round trip).

This event will be truly something to remember for years to come! Lake Charles is lucky to have such a wonderfully preserved historic district with residents who dedicate endless hours and energy to ensure that Margaret Place will remain a gem for another hundred years. For more information, visit www.calcasieupreservation.org.