About Lake Charles' Shell Beach Drive Area

Lake Charles, Louisiana has it's share of Fine Homes & Estates. I usually preview the subdivisions South of town, but don't want to forget one of the most memorable landmarks of our City which is Shell Beach Drive.

Shell Beach drive is one of the streets that make up the boundaries for Margaret Place Historical District.

Located on the Southeast side of the Lake, Shell Beach Drive runs from Clarence Street all the way to the Port of Lake Charles.

The stretch of Shell Beach that borders the lake is also lined with beautiful 100 year oak trees. One estate in particular along Shell Beach is home to a famous 170 year old Oak tree known as the “Calcasieu Manor Tree”. This oak tree is registered with the Live Oak Society of the Louisiana Garden Club Federation .The "Calcasieu Manor" tree also has a caretaker and seedlings are harvested from the tree and sent to the coastline to be used in conservation preservation. There are three more old established oak trees located in the front of the property that were planted as seedlings from this 170+ year old tree!

There are many styles of homes along Shell Beach from Georgian Manors, Louisiana Acadian, Floridian Stucco to English Tudor. Each fine estate home is unique in more ways than one and most are historic landmarks dating to the early 19th Century, although there are some newly constructed homes.

The homes of Shell Beach Drive in Lake Charles LA are grand southern homes and many have been occupied by generations of the same family. Some of the features of these million dollar homes include guest house, carriage house, private wharf, pool, butler pantry's and silver closets!

One of these southern family estates was the home of famous country western star, Lynne Anderson when she married Louisiana oilman, Harold Stream III and lived in Lake Charles.

Shell Beach Drive has always been in Lake Charles history and there are many stories and little known facts about some of these estate homes.

There are also many tales of the famous Pirate Jean Lafitte who is said to have docked in Lake Charles. One story that includes Jean Lafitte has to do with the oldest house in Lake Charles which is the Sallier-Barbe house located on Shell Beach Drive. Charles Sallier and his wife Catherine were quite good friends with Jean Lafitte, but Sallier had become jealous of his wife and Lafitte — As legend tells it, one day Charles Sallier thought that Catherine was having an affair with Jean Laffite. In his rage, he picked up his pistol and shot Catherine. When Catherine fell to the ground, he thought he had killed her, so he jumped on his horse and fled, never to be heard from again. However, Catherine survived the shot by a simple piece of jewelry – her brooch! When the pistol was fired the bullet lodged in the large brooch Catherine was wearing. This brooch is a family heirloom that the Barbe family still treasures.

Whether you are looking for an estate or a cottage home in Lake Charles LA I would love to give you a tour of homes available in the Lake Charles area. Call or Email me today, MARILYN BOUDREAUX, 337 499 9592, marilyn.boudreaux@century21.com.

Lighted Holiday Carriage Rides Featured by J & R Carriage

Are you looking for something special to do during the holiday season in Lake Charles, Louisiana? You can schedule a carriage ride along beautiful Shell Beach Drive to view the Christmas Lights!

Each evening you will find J & R Carriage along the Promenade behind the Civic Center in Lake Charles. J & R Carriage is a full time carriage company that offers several different size carriages and can accommodate your needs depending on the number of people in your party.

I can't think of a better way to spend an evening and get into the Christmas spirit than a lighted carriage ride complete with a blanket and bringing along your favorite beverage of choice!

Let me share with you first hand what you can expect since I just went on my own beautiful carriage ride this evening guided by one of the owners of J & R Carriage--Roger Roy!

I learned that J & R Carriage has six Belgian mules who are treated very well and trained for the task of pulling carriages! What's not to love about a mule wearing a Santa hat and bells!

Before heading out on my carriage ride, the other owner of J & R Carriage Justin Gill shared with me a little bit about the hand crafted Amish Carriage we would be riding in and our mule, Dolly!

Call 337 570-9909 or 337 842 0778 for information on holiday carriage tours and pricing.

LIGHTED HOLIDAY CARRIAGE RIDES

ALONG SHELL BEACH DRIVE

You don't have to live in New York City to enjoy a lighted holiday carriage ride!

J & R Carriage here in Lake Charles, Louisiana offers residents carriage rides throughout the year for various events held in Lake Charles.

BEGINNING DECEMBER 4-31

J & R Carriage will offer residents lighted holiday carriage rides along beautiful Shell Beach Drive.

HOMES ALONG SHELL BEACH DRIVE IN LAKE CHARLES, LA

Shell Beach Drive in Lake Charles is a landmark of beautiful homes and a favorite spot for runners, walkers or a Sunday drive.

The lovely estate homes that line Shell Beach Drive in Lake Charles add festive decorations and lights during the Christmas holidays. If you think these homes are majestic in the daylight imagine them all twinking and outlined in lights and ornate decorations!

December weather in Lake Charles, Louisiana is pleasant and the cool temperatures that we do get are tolerable. If you schedule a holiday carriage ride with J & R Carriage when the temperatures do drop you can bring a blanket to snuggle and it is also quite nice and romantic if you want to bring along your own bottle of wine to enjoy during your carriage ride!

Imagine riding along the lakeshore and downtown Lake Charles in a festive holiday carriage with a decorated mule. What's not to love about that and get you in the holiday spirit!!

Whether you plan a carriage ride as a couple, with your family or group of friends, J & R Carriage can accomodate you with different sizes of carriages.

Holiday Carriage Rides fill up quickly so contact J & R Carriage to book your tour soon, the City of Lake Charles becomes fully lighted beginning December 4th!

Call 337 570-9909 or 337 842 0778 for information on holiday carriage tours and pricing.

Casper and His Friends Playing Ring Around the Rosey

Ever wonder about this nursery rhyme and the odd lyrics?

Ring Around the Rosey

Pocket Full of Poseys

Ashes Ashes We All Fall Down

According to the history and origin of nursery rhymes, this rhyme originated from the outbreak of the plague and posey's were supposed to be of a benefit of protection for you, the ashes ashes we all fall down refers to cremation.

Kind of creepy and that makes the picture I snapped of these little spooks playing Ring Around the Rosey even more fitting for Halloween!

These spooks playing Ring Around the Rosey can be found in front of one of the many festive homes found along Shell Beach Drive in Lake Charles, LA.

The leaves have begun to fall leaving the majestic 100 year old trees in front of the home with barren limbs adding to the haunting decor when the sun goes down.

Shell Beach Drive in Lake Charles, LA is a favorite area for an afternoon drive, walk or run where you can admire some of Lake Charles finest estates with along with a beautiful view of the lake.

Until now, the lot sizes on Barbe Street were 125 x 200.

In response to one of the most frequently asked questions as to the potential of purchasing smaller lots, the lot sizes and prices have been officially changed in MLS.