While three more elements will be added soon, we could not wait to show off the Sue Zimmerman Margaret Place artwork which will be prominent in the program that will be distributed Palm Sunday Weekend! 

Additional projects that Sue will provide are the City Trolley, J&R Carriage, and the Ranier Gardens.

Tuesday, 17 January 2012 16:44

We are pleased to announce that the City of Lake Charles has partnered with CHPS/MPHD to temporarily "recreate the Historic South Ryan Streetcar Line" as a part of the 37th Annual Palm Sunday Tour of Homes.

From 1894 to 1926, as many as four steel-rail streetcar lines served the City, providing, at one time, 24-hour transit service to residents. Three of the lines operated as a city utility and one line (known as the "Dummy line" along Broad Street) was operated by the Watkins and Missouri Pacific Railroad. The three city lines served the densely developed downtown and ran south from Railroad Avenue on Ryan Street, two lines then going east on Kirby Street and with one line proceeding north on Kirkman to Goosport.

Palm Sunday Weekend tickets are now on-line via PayPal for the Margaret Place Fan Tour, 100th Anniversary Brunch, and/or Palm Sunday Tour of Homes. The PayPal option works best with INTERNET EXPLORER.

Ticket options below  (after clicking "read more") include package prices, individual prices, and the "Friends of Preservation and Margaret Place" option.

Be sure to PRINT YOUR RECEIPT in order to exchange it for your color-coded wrist band at entry. 

Saturday, 29 October 2011 12:34

Why "house heros?" Wyman points out that the Loftin remodeling story is the home version of many current reality shows: the ugly duckling makeover story. These makeover shows are popular not only because the stories are true, but because they are inspirational.

Whether it's the tale of a person wearing bad clothes with a bad hair style or a person who needs to shed a few pounds and shape up, the result is the same. An unattractive duckling, with a little guidance and the right attitude, becomes a beautiful swan. The Loftin's house version of this story took place at 115 Park Avenue. The house they were purchasing was a victim of poor 60s style, desperately in need of a makeover. But this particular story is extra special because behind the facade was a historic house, dying to get out.

But when the Loftins bought the house, they didn't know about all of this. They did know something needed to happen to change the house's appearance. The Loftins were leaving a beautiful custom built home in Kings Point Subdivision in South Lake Charles, built by Phyllis' brother, Christopher Pearson of 4P Construction, LLC, who has also done all of the Park Avenue renovations. They appreciate beauty and their new house was not beautiful. So they had plans drawn up to improve the curb appeal and to accommodate their family and entertainment needs. And since it was in the Margaret Place Historical District, their plans had to be approved by the review committee. Barbara Wyman states, "Review committees are house heroes too . . . they want to save old houses or bring them back to life. But all the committee can do is encourage and guide. The homeowners need to have the vision and the proper attitude for the outcome to be win-win. After being presented with the Loftin's plans for exterior changes, and being familiar with the architectural styles of Margaret Place, I decided to take a chance and contact the Loftins and they agreed to meet. 

  There was nothing wrong with the Loftin's submitted plans per se, but the plans were just one more "fix" to a renovation weary bungalow. The plans did not reflect what the house could be. Armed with photos and educational resources, Wyman met with the Loftins at the law offices of Loftin, Cain & Leblanc, LLC on Dr. Michael DeBakey Drive, only one block away. At first skeptical, the Loftins were more than willing to be convinced. There was a time crunch, since their other house was already sold and they needed to get started on the renovations. And there were no existing photos of what the house looked like originally, except for those all but hidden bungalow clues.

Barbara took the time to do field research, driving around the old part of town to find houses that were similar in form that might prove a pattern for the house. A few houses were found, and an alternate idea for the front of the house was presented, a plan more in keeping with what the house might have been.

When asked to be a sponsor for the 2012 Palm Sunday Weekend, Judy Moffett of ERA Moffett Realty, Inc. did not hesitate! Besides "getting it" insofar as the value provided to bronze sponsors, she was anxious to support the historical district where the office is located.

Judy was especially pleased that Ben Mount, Palm Sunday Weekend Joint Committee representative and President of the Margaret Place Historical District would be on hand to accept the company check.

Mount is a long-time preservationist and resident of Margaret Place.  In accepting the donation he remarked, "Palm Sunday Weekend, March 31 and April 1st, 2012, is around the corner.  We are grateful that the Moffett firm has committed early on to help us build a tremendous event to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Margaret Place.  On behalf of the Joint Committee consisting of the Calcasieu Historical Preservation Society and the Margaret Place Historical District, we gratefully accept their generous donation."

Major thanks to the alums and members of the local Alpha Delta Pi Chapter for agreeing to volunteer for both days of the 2012 Palm Sunday Weekend!

Special thanks to Margaret Place resident and member, Debbie Vicknair, for her role in achieving this volunteer effort. She was aided by fellow ADPi alum, Marsha Williams.

Thursday, 01 September 2011 11:40

The scope of the Palm Sunday Weekend project celebrating Margaret Place's 100th anniversary requires a significant effort!

Fortunately, a tremendous team has been formed and has already proven themselves up to the challenge.   So you can get to know this leadership group, photographs will be taken periodically and posted here. In the meantime, The Palm Sunday Weekend Joint Committee expresses their thanks to Senator Willie and Ben Mount for their generosity in hosting the August committee meeting at their home and to Dr. Clinton Hart for allowing us to utilize his pool house for monthly meetings thereafter.  Those working to achieve this historical event are as follows:

Sponsors will receive significant benefits prior to, during, and after the two day event celebrating Margaret Place's 100th annversay. The description of the event, sponsor levels at a glance and a sponsor agreement are in the printable Sponsor, Donor, Advertiser Package. Or, for those who prefer a more detailed list of benefits, check out the various Sponsor Levels.