HISTORY
The Origins of Imperial Calcasieu & Southwest Louisiana’s Five Parishes
Calcasieu Parish was created in 1840 from St. Landry Parish, and the state’s newest parish was by far the largest—larger than the entire state of Rhode Island. It carried the regal name Imperial Calcasieu. By 1870, the expansive area was divided into the five parishes we know today: Beauregard, Allen, Jefferson Davis, Cameron, and Calcasieu.
Our name carries this history in its heart, and we aim to connect Southwest Louisiana’s rich and robust past with your own. For more than 60 years, the Imperial Calcasieu Museum has celebrated the arts while protecting the heritage of our Southwest Louisiana roots. We showcase the work of local, national, and international artists while preserving historic heirlooms and documents that span from the earliest days of Imperial Calcasieu to the present. By combining the Museum’s historical collection with the Gibson-Barham Gallery’s rotating exhibitions, we have created the only arts and culture museum serving the five-parish region.
A Louisiana Museum Built From Historic Landmarks
The Museum itself reflects the story of the community. Its bricks were salvaged from the old Missouri Pacific Railroad station, the white columns from the once-proud Majestic Hotel—a Lake Charles landmark demolished in the late 1960s—and the beams and balustrades from historic homes of the area.
Completed in 1963 at a cost of $100,000, the 4,000-square-foot Louisiana Colonial-style building sits on an acre of land at the corner of Sallier and Ethel streets, a gift from Mr. and Mrs. Frank Gibson and Dr. and Mrs. Garnett Barham.
Presiding over the grounds is the legendary Sallier Oak, believed to have been planted by Charles Sallier in 1783. The land where the oak stands was donated in 1860 by Catherine LeBleu Sallier. The tree is a registered member of the Live Oak Society of the Louisiana Garden Club Federation, and a historical marker placed by the Daughters of the American Revolution commemorates its significance.
The Founding and Growth of the Imperial Calcasieu Museum
Founded in March 1963 by the Junior League of Lake Charles, the Imperial Calcasieu Historical Museum first opened inside City Hall. Later that year, it moved to a small historic brick building at 1019 Lakeshore Drive, which today serves as the Junior League headquarters. The Museum eventually relocated to its permanent home on Sallier Street, where it continues its mission of preserving the culture, heritage, and artistic spirit of Southwest Louisiana.
Historic Artifacts and Collections in the Museum
Our collection spans centuries, from the life of the Attakapas and other Native American tribes to the industrial and cultural developments of the modern era. Highlights include:
Native American artifacts, including pottery fragments and arrowheads from the Lake Charles region.
Cannonballs believed to be from one of Jean Lafitte’s ships, discovered during the dredging of Contraband Bayou.
Historic photographs of early Lake Charles.
The steering wheel of the Borealis Rex, a paddleboat that once traveled local waters.
Replicas of all ten flags that have flown over Louisiana.
Military history, including the uniform of Gen. Claire Chennault of Flying Tigers fame and the wedding gown of his wife, Anna Chennault.
Period furniture, frontier clothing, and antique shaving mugs that offer a glimpse into daily life in Imperial Calcasieu.
The Museum also boasts a permanent art collection featuring works by John James Audubon, Boyd Cruise, Angela Gregory, and Lynda Benglis—bringing visual art into conversation with the region’s history.
Preservation and History Tours in Lake Charles
Preservation is central to our mission. Our staff and volunteers carefully research, catalog, and conserve artifacts, ensuring they remain accessible for future generations. We work with local historians, educators, and cultural organizations to create exhibits, lectures, and educational programs that deepen public understanding of the region’s past.
Guided history tours invite visitors to immerse themselves in the stories that shaped Southwest Louisiana. Whether exploring relics from the Great Fire of 1910, learning about the area’s maritime history, or admiring fine art, guests discover that the story of Imperial Calcasieu is still alive today.
A Living Legacy for Southwest Louisiana’s Future
For over six decades, the Imperial Calcasieu Museum has been more than a building—it has been a cultural anchor, a guardian of memory, and a bridge between past and present. Our work ensures that the heritage of Southwest Louisiana is not only preserved, but continually celebrated, inspiring residents and visitors to find their own place in the story.
Your support ensures the Imperial Calcasieu Museum can continue protecting the artifacts, stories, and art that define Southwest Louisiana.