CHPS Mission
The mission of the Calcasieu Historical Preservation Society (CHPS) is to encourage the preservation of historical buildings, objects, and places relating to the history of Louisiana and Calcasieu Parish, including its natural beauty and all that is distinctive to our state.
One of the primary ways that CHPS accomplishes this mission is to recognize those who have contributed toward the preservation of buildings, objects and places. This is done by presenting awards to deserving property owners via the Calca Commendation and the Landmark Awards.
Membership
Pick from one
of these six membership categories:
Individual $10.00
Family $20.00
Sustaining $35.00
Patron $50.00
Corporate $100.00
Major Donor $250+
Join using our on-line membership form.
Charpentier
Margaret Place
Area History
Longtime preservationist and former President of CHPS, Adley Cormier, has graciously permitted us to publish a copy of his Timeline History of Southwest Louisiana.
823 Shell Beach Drive
The Boyer House, circa 1947
The 1947 brick house with four columns served the Digiglias and their two children Ellie and J. W. as the family homeplace for nearly 50 years.
Interestingly, the house was featured in the February 5th, 1966 New Yorker magazine ad for Hiram Walker whiskey, due probably to its classic revival lines that harkened back to gracious times and stylish living.
The elegant, understated interiors and furnishings are the work of the current owners, Claudia and James Boyer.
Architect John Gabriel designed the home. In last year’s Margaret Place Tour, his 1953 design for the Gerard family (Molly and Gus Quinn’s home) was featured. In the 2011 Tour, his design for the Levy house on 11th Street (currently the home of Randy Foster) was on tour. The Palm Sunday Tour of Homes salutes the remarkable legacy of one hundred year old John M. Gabriel, a pioneering area architect with hundreds of commissions in Louisiana and Texas..