Welcome to Southwest Louisiana Play here, stay here - MediaSpan
Welcome to Southwest Louisiana Play here, stay here - MediaSpan
Welcome to Southwest Louisiana Play here, stay here - MediaSpan
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AA2 AMERICAN PRESS ADVERTISING SECTION SUNDAY, APRIL 8, 2007<br />
N E W C O M E R S G U I D E<br />
<strong>Southwest</strong> La. offers rich his<strong>to</strong>ry, modern amenities<br />
<strong>Southwest</strong> <strong>Louisiana</strong> is a<br />
community of diverse people<br />
and industries.<br />
Exemplified by downright<br />
southern hospitality, the<br />
fun and friendly atmosp<strong>here</strong><br />
is coupled with a<br />
variety of activities and<br />
opportunities which will<br />
make your temporary, or<br />
permanent visit, <strong>to</strong> the area<br />
a great experience.<br />
The area offers individuals<br />
and families a variety of<br />
choices as <strong>to</strong> w<strong>here</strong> and<br />
how <strong>to</strong> live. It provides<br />
numerous services geared<br />
<strong>to</strong>wards education, health,<br />
safety and enjoyment. An<br />
upward trend continues <strong>to</strong><br />
be seen in the area’s economy.<br />
Employment figures,<br />
<strong>to</strong>tal wages paid, taxable<br />
retail sales, and other economic<br />
indica<strong>to</strong>rs are on the<br />
rise. The cost of living in<br />
the area is below the<br />
national average, based on<br />
the American Chamber of<br />
Commerce Researcher’s<br />
Association Report for the<br />
first quarter of 2000.<br />
Area residents’ deep<br />
sense of faith is evident in<br />
the more than 200 churches,<br />
representing over 35<br />
denominations in the area.<br />
A unique and interesting<br />
blend of deep-south tradition,<br />
French-Acadian,<br />
English and Indian heritage,<br />
the area offers a<br />
multitude of activities,<br />
opportunities and experiences<br />
which makes<br />
<strong>Southwest</strong> <strong>Louisiana</strong> a<br />
great place <strong>to</strong> live, work<br />
and enjoy life.<br />
HISTORY<br />
Imperial Calcasieu was<br />
originally inhabited by<br />
Indian tribes. Vestiges of<br />
Indian culture live on in<br />
local names and places<br />
such as the Coushatta<br />
Indian Reservation in<br />
El<strong>to</strong>n, 45 miles northeast of<br />
Lake Charles.<br />
The first homestead in<br />
this area was established<br />
six miles east of Lake<br />
Charles in 1781, by a<br />
Frenchman from<br />
The Lake Charles City Court building on Ryan Street in down<strong>to</strong>wn Lake Charles was originally<br />
constructed in 1911 as the new City Hall. After serving as City Hall through 1978, it<br />
became the Ward 3 City Court Building. A $2 million res<strong>to</strong>ration project that began in May<br />
1999 "modernized" the building’s wiring, peeling plaster and other problems. The original<br />
wooden floors and woodwork maintain the building’s his<strong>to</strong>ric value.<br />
Bordeaux, Barthelmy<br />
LeBleu. In 1803, Charles<br />
Sallier, also from France,<br />
married LeBleu’s daughter<br />
Catherine, and built a log<br />
cabin on the lake giving it<br />
his name.<br />
The river flowing<br />
through our community was<br />
called Quelqueshue by the<br />
Indians. Eventually, the<br />
river and the surrounding<br />
area became known as<br />
Calcasieu. In 1840, 6,000<br />
acres of <strong>Southwest</strong><br />
<strong>Louisiana</strong> were organized<br />
in<strong>to</strong> six parishes,<br />
<strong>Louisiana</strong>’s equivalent of<br />
counties.<br />
The influence of the<br />
French Acadians is present<br />
in the cuisine of local<br />
restaurants as well as in the<br />
architecture of homes and<br />
buildings. Acadian language,<br />
cus<strong>to</strong>ms and music<br />
are also evident. In fact<br />
“Cajun” French is still spoken<br />
in many small <strong>to</strong>wns in<br />
the bayou country near<br />
Lake Charles.<br />
AREA COMMUNITIES<br />
The population of<br />
<strong>Southwest</strong> <strong>Louisiana</strong> is<br />
more than 279,100. It is<br />
comprised of Calcasieu,<br />
Cameron, Allen,<br />
Beauregard and Jefferson<br />
Davis. Calcasieu Parish is<br />
the center of the area with<br />
a population of 183,400. The<br />
city of Lake Charles is the<br />
financial, medical and<br />
entertainment center of the<br />
parish, with the major<br />
industry and workforce<br />
located within the metropolitan<br />
area. Other cities in<br />
the area are DeQuincy,<br />
Iowa, Sulphur, Vin<strong>to</strong>n and<br />
Westlake.<br />
Allen Parish, created in<br />
1912, is one of the newest<br />
parishes in the state. It is<br />
covered by dense forest and<br />
has rich agriculture as well<br />
as cattle and timber production.<br />
Comprised of the<br />
<strong>to</strong>wns and cities of<br />
Elizabeth, Kinder, Oakdale,<br />
Oberlin, Reeves and the<br />
Coushatta Indian<br />
Reservation, it has a population<br />
of 24,300.<br />
Forestry and lives<strong>to</strong>ck<br />
are thriving enterprises in<br />
primarily rural Beauregard<br />
Parish. Comprised of the<br />
<strong>to</strong>wns of DeRidder, Dry<br />
Creek, Fields, Longville,<br />
Merryville, Singer,<br />
Sugar<strong>to</strong>wn and Ragley, it<br />
has a population of 31,000.<br />
Cameron Parish,<br />
<strong>Southwest</strong> <strong>Louisiana</strong>’s<br />
largest parish based on<br />
land area, is almost entirely<br />
Gulf marshland. Its economy<br />
is based on oil, natural<br />
gas, agriculture, fishing and<br />
trapping. The coastal <strong>to</strong>wn<br />
of Cameron has been the<br />
nation’s leading commercial<br />
fishing port. The <strong>to</strong>wns<br />
of Hackberry, Grand Lake,<br />
Grand Chenier, Johnson<br />
Bayou and Creole comprise<br />
the rest of the parish. It has<br />
a population of 7,700.<br />
Jefferson Davis Parish is<br />
among the foremost oil producing<br />
parishes in<br />
<strong>Louisiana</strong> with 15 oil and<br />
gas producing fields. It has<br />
a population of 31,400 and<br />
is comprised of Jennings,<br />
El<strong>to</strong>n, Lacassine, Welsh,<br />
Lake Arthur and Fen<strong>to</strong>n.<br />
Source: The Chamber/SWLA<br />
S O U T H W E S T L O U I S I A N A C I T I E S<br />
ALLEN PARISH<br />
Elizabeth<br />
230 Poplar St.<br />
Mayor: Robert Craf<strong>to</strong>n<br />
318-634-5166<br />
Police chief: Chris Oakes<br />
Oakdale<br />
213 S. 10th St<br />
Mayor: Buddy Abrusley<br />
337-335-9751<br />
Police chief: Bobby Gordon<br />
337-335-0290<br />
Reeves<br />
18370 U.S. 190<br />
Mayor: Scott Walker<br />
337-666-2613<br />
Police Chief: Buddy E<strong>stay</strong><br />
Kinder<br />
333 N. 8th St.<br />
Mayor: Estes LeDoux Jr.<br />
337-738-2620<br />
Police chief: Gary Pelican<br />
337-738-2600<br />
Oberlin<br />
103 E. 6th Ave.<br />
Mayor: Philip Beard<br />
337-639-4333<br />
Police chief: Richard Young<br />
337-639-4922<br />
BEAUREGARD PARISH<br />
DeRidder<br />
200 South Jefferson St.<br />
Mayor: Ron Roberts<br />
337-462-8900<br />
Police chief: Ricky Johnson<br />
337-462-8911<br />
Merryville<br />
P.O. Box 607<br />
Mayor: Foy W. Rhodes<br />
337-825-8740<br />
Police Chief: James Longoria<br />
337-825-8740<br />
CALCASIEU PARISH<br />
Lake Charles<br />
326 Pujo St.<br />
Mayor: Randy Roach<br />
337-491-1201<br />
Police chief: Don Dixon<br />
337-491-1456<br />
Sulphur<br />
500 N. Hunting<strong>to</strong>n St.<br />
Mayor: Ron LeLeux<br />
337-527-4500<br />
Police chief: George Mullican<br />
337-527-4550<br />
Westlake<br />
1001 Mulberry St.<br />
Mayor: Dan Cupit<br />
337-433-0691<br />
Police chief: Jeremy Cryer<br />
337-433-4151<br />
DeQuincy<br />
300 N. Holly St.<br />
Mayor: Lawrence Henagan<br />
337-786-8211<br />
Police chief: Mike Suchanek<br />
337-786-4000<br />
Vin<strong>to</strong>n<br />
1200 Horridge St.<br />
Mayor: Kenneth Stinson<br />
337-589-7913<br />
Police chief: Ricky Fox<br />
337-589-3561<br />
Iowa<br />
115 N. Thomson Ave.<br />
Mayor: Charles Scheufens<br />
337-582-3535<br />
Police chief: Keith Vincent<br />
337-582-3636<br />
JEFF DAVIS PARISH<br />
Jennings<br />
110 N. Broadway<br />
Mayor: Terry Duhon<br />
337-821-5500<br />
Police chief: Johnny Lassiter<br />
337-821-5530<br />
Welsh<br />
700 South St.<br />
Mayor: Carolyn L. Louviere<br />
337-734-2231<br />
Police chief: Tommy Chaisson<br />
337-734-2626<br />
Lake Arthur<br />
102 Arthur Ave.<br />
Mayor: E.R. “Red” Giles<br />
337-774-5154<br />
Police chief: Cheryl Vincent<br />
337-774-3855<br />
El<strong>to</strong>n<br />
1302 Main St.<br />
Mayor: Cathy Hollingworth<br />
337-584-2312<br />
Police chief: Raul Ceaser<br />
337-584-2200<br />
Fen<strong>to</strong>n<br />
712 Third Ave.<br />
Mayor: Janet Manuel<br />
337-756-2584<br />
Police chief: Luther Alfred<br />
337-756-2584<br />
S O U T H W E S T L O U I S I A N A P O S T O F F I C E S<br />
4031 Nelson Rd. Ste. 300<br />
Lake Charles, LA<br />
337.478.0901<br />
Lake Charles:<br />
950 Main St.<br />
2001 Moeling St.<br />
921 Moss St.<br />
5000 Lake St.<br />
Moss Bluff<br />
172 E. Telephone Road<br />
Westlake<br />
1504 Guillory St.<br />
Iowa<br />
218 S. Thomson<br />
Sulphur<br />
800 S. Post Oak Road<br />
Lacassine<br />
18327 U.S. 90<br />
Bell City<br />
7206 B St.<br />
Fen<strong>to</strong>n<br />
410 Pelican Hwy<br />
Hayes<br />
7760 E La. 14<br />
Ragley<br />
7619 U.S. 190<br />
Welsh<br />
202 Crowley St.<br />
Reeves<br />
18320 La. 90<br />
DeQuincy<br />
215 College St.<br />
Hackberry<br />
904 Main St.<br />
FORET FLOORING<br />
Full Service Flooring ~ Quality Installation<br />
• Carpet<br />
Leblanc<br />
15148 U.S. 190<br />
Roanoke<br />
14152 La. 395<br />
Kinder<br />
423 N. 9th St.<br />
Vin<strong>to</strong>n<br />
1354 Horridge St.<br />
Longville<br />
126 Longville Road<br />
Creole<br />
106 E. Creole Hwy.<br />
Jennings<br />
106 S. Broadway St.<br />
Lake Arthur<br />
302 Kellogg Ave.<br />
Dry Creek<br />
8243 Hwy. 113<br />
Starks<br />
106 Big Woods Road<br />
El<strong>to</strong>n<br />
2003 Main St.<br />
Singer<br />
9054 Hwy. 27<br />
Grand Chenier<br />
2901 Grand Chenier Hwy<br />
Oberlin<br />
110 N. 7th St.<br />
Mittie<br />
12330 La. 26<br />
Cameron<br />
144 Adam Roux St.<br />
DeRidder<br />
116 E. 4th St.<br />
Rosepine<br />
18327 Johnny B. Hall Memorial<br />
Hwy.<br />
Elizabeth<br />
211 E. Main St.<br />
Oakdale<br />
240 E. 6th Ave.<br />
Pitkin<br />
12949 La. 10<br />
• Laminate<br />
• Ceramic Tile<br />
• Wood<br />
• Natural S<strong>to</strong>ne<br />
BAGGETT, McCALL, BURGESS,<br />
WATSON & GAUGHAN<br />
3006 Country Club Road<br />
337-478-8888 Or 800-256-1137<br />
FREE Estimates00339536<br />
136 School Street Moss Bluff • 855-6511<br />
Next <strong>to</strong> MB Elementary<br />
Mon - Fri 8am <strong>to</strong> 5pm • Appt. available after hours<br />
Personal Injury<br />
Wrongful Death<br />
0 0 3 3 7 5 2 8<br />
GOOD FOOD, GOOD TIMES <br />
For hand-cut steaks,<br />
fall-off-the-bone ribs,<br />
a variety of chicken<br />
and seafood,<br />
signature salads and<br />
freshly baked rolls,<br />
meet us at O’Charley’s.<br />
1780 W. Prien Lake Road<br />
Lake Charles<br />
(337) 478-9927<br />
00339933<br />
For four decades, Rosewood has been providing quality care<br />
and a loving, family environment in Lake Charles.<br />
Like a masterpiece painting, an antique pocket watch, classic<br />
car and heirloom quilt, Rosewood Nursing Center will show<br />
you how valuable a little age can truly be.<br />
Rosewood Nursing Center...<br />
The kind of “Classic” that never gets old!<br />
Call us <strong>to</strong>day, or come by <strong>to</strong> visit!<br />
534 15th St., Lake Charles<br />
337-439-8338<br />
00339775<br />
S E L F S T O R A G E<br />
EASY AFFORDABLE RENTING<br />
Ensuring ALL Your Possessions<br />
will be Safe and Cared for.<br />
LAKE CHARLES<br />
210 W. SALE RD<br />
474.8800<br />
Uhaul Truck and Trailer Rentals<br />
•<br />
Shipping, Packing and Moving Supplies<br />
www.neighborhoodminis<strong>to</strong>rage.com<br />
SULPHUR<br />
850 S. Post Oak Rd.<br />
626.0000<br />
00340374<br />
MOSS BLUFF<br />
716 SAM HOUSTON JONES PKWY<br />
855.3000
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