Oak trees and pine trees dot the landscape the lumber industry was once the main economic engine of the area. Contraband Bayou, Henderson Bayou, and English Bayou flow through the city. It borders both Lake Charles and Prien Lake. Lake Charles, located on a level plain about 30 miles (48В km) from the Gulf of Mexico, has an elevation of 13 feet (4.0В m), and is located on the banks of the Calcasieu River in southwestern Louisiana. The southern portion of the city was damaged by an EF2 tornado on October 27, 2021. In 2020, it was battered by 2 hurricanes, Category 4 Hurricane Laura on August 26-27, and Hurricane Delta on October 9, 2020. In 2005, the city was heavily damaged by Hurricane Rita. By 1991, the incomplete base was dropped from the program and shuttered. But with the tailing-off of the Cold War, the 1988 Base Realignment and Closure Commission recommended it be closed. Support ships were to be operated from the new Naval Station Lake Charles. In 1985, the city was identified as a potential Strategic Homeport to support Navy Secretary John Lehman's desire for a 600-ship Navy. The city grew to a high of some 75,000 people in the early 1980s, but with local economic recession, the population declined. Дuring and after World War II, Lake Charles experienced industrial growth with the arrival of petrochemical refineries. The Charleston Hotel was completed in 1929, during the administration of Mayor Henry J. Lake Charles soon rebuilt, grew and expanded in the twentieth century. In 1910, the Great Fire of 1910 devastated much of the city. Ten years later, on March 16, 1867, Charleston was reincorporated as the City of Lake Charles. The town was first incorporated in 1857 as Charleston, after an early settler, Charles Sallier. There are also urban tales he had planned to name the settlement Nouveau Cadix (New CГЎdiz)', after the city in Spain, but this is uncertain. Eliche had also founded other outposts and towns in Louisiana prior, most notably Marksville, which is named after him. Long before incorporation and even before the Louisiana Purchase, other names for Lake Charles were Porte du Lafitte (Port of Jean Lafitte) or RiviГЁre Lafitte (River Lafitte/Lafitte's River), among many other names now lost. He had arrived in Louisiana after hitchhiking and was invited onto a Spanish vessel due to his determination and loyalty to volunteer and work freely for the Spanish Empire. He was a Sephardic Jewish trader of either Basque-Spanish or Venetian-Italian origins. Lake Charles was founded by merchant and tradesman Marco Eliche (or Marco de Г‰litxe) as an outpost. There is patron parking on the East side of the building, and the courthouse is easily accessible from several highway exits.On March 7, 1861, Lake Charles was incorporated as the town of Charleston, Louisiana. Turn right on Broad Street and go about two (2) miles. At the second curve, stay in left lane and continue on Broad Street. I-10 East - Take the Lakeshore Drive Exit.

Exit, left on Enterprise to Broad Street, right on Broad. The entrance to the courthouse faces Broad Street.

Federal Building is located in the 600 block of Broad Street, in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Please route all mail, phone calls, or visits to the Lafayette Division. Federal Bulding was damaged by Hurricane Laura and is not currently accessible. Hours: 8:00 am until noon, and 1:00 pm until 4:30 pm (Phones answered until 5:00 pm) Parishes: Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davis, & VernonДЄll offices are closed on Federal Holidays Courthouse, please route all mail and phone calls to the Lafayette Division.) Courthouse (PLEASE NOTE: Due to damage caused by Hurricane Laura to the Edwin F.

Lake charles