Calcasieu Historical Preservation Society Logo

 

Calcasieu Historical Preservation Society

Follow us on Facebook

CHPS Mission


Historic Lake Charles City HallThe 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

Home on Kirby in the Historic Charpenteir District. Click here for a photo gallery of homes in the Charpentier District

Margaret Place

Bungalow on Grove Street in 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.

Adley Cormier first presented this document to the Southwest Louisiana Genealogical Society.

MODEL ENGINES COLLECTION AT DEQUINCY RAILROAD MUSEUM

The DeQuincy Railroad Museum Board of Directors is pleased to announce the display of an extensive collection of model steam and diesel engines at the 1923 Kansas City Southern depot which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is located in downtown DeQuincy. The invaluable collection was donated to the DeQuincy Railroad Museum in August 2006.

In addition to the permanent display at the museum, there are also items displayed at the DeQuincy City Hall, the DeQuincy branch of the Calcasieu Parish Library, and two local banks, City Savings Bank and Chase Bank.  The items displayed at the banks will alternate and will rotate in the future to Cameron State Bank and Capital One Bank, also in DeQuincy.

Display of Model Engines at the DeQuincy Railroad MuseumThe engines on display are exceptional in their detail and craftsmanship.  Manufactured by Samhongsa Co Ltd,  Row & Co,  Adler,  and Markin,  they are made of high quality brass and contain the standard electric motors associated with toys, but are scale museum-quality models of actual steam and diesel engines.  The scale is referred to as Gauge 1, which is similar to G scale, and runs on G scale track, but each is constructed to the exact specifications of their prototypes. Most of these were produced in the 1970’s and 1980’s and very few Gauge 1’s are produced today because of the level of workmanship and the associated costs of their production making these exceptional examples of the art of model making.  Each of these engines have special wood and brass cases finished like fine furniture and dense foam interiors to protect the models. These models represent some of the largest and most popular trains of the twentieth century. (Blaine Miller)

Beginning with a design concept by former DeQuincy resident Frank F. Douglas of the Douglas Group in Houston, the planning and execution of the display has evolved over several months.  Blaine Miller, Assistant Director of the Imperial Calcasieu Museum, has directed and overseen the technical aspects of the project with the assistance of Gary W. Cooper and Harry Methvin. The display is presented with state-of-the-art museum quality signage and lighting in a large antique wall cabinet donated to the museum several years ago by Candace W. Cooper in memory of her late father, Jake Willrich.  Funding for the project has been provided by the City of DeQuincy.

The collection may be viewed during regular museum hours, Tuesday through Saturday from 9AM to 5PM.  Call 337-786-2823 for more information or to confirm hours.

Gary W. Cooper, President

3.24.08