$228,732Average Value$109Average Price per Sq Ft15Homes For Sale
A living relic of Lake Charles' bygone lumber industry
These days, activity around Lake Charles mostly takes the form of gambling and petrochemical processing. But once upon a time, the city's main export was lumber, an industry that gave birth to its historic neighborhoods. The Charpentier Historic District has the most direct lineage of them all, evident in preserved homes built with planks of longleaf pine and cedar sourced less than a mile up the Calcasieu River. In 1990, this heritage is what helped the neighborhood earn its spot on the National Register of Historic Places. "Much of the housing stock was actually built with timber that was grown and processed right here in Calcasieu Parish," says local historian Adley Cormier. "The name Charpentier means 'carpenter' in French, and that name was selected because the structures in the area were built by French-speaking carpenters who worked from guidebooks and plan books." The people and their buildings have survived everything from carpetbaggers to hurricanes, demonstrating a heritage of resiliency and craftsmanship found in few places across Lake Charles.
Building history with locally sourced timber
Early and recent history is still alive and well in the neighborhood. In 2020, back to back hurricanes damaged many structures, creating a need for new housing in the area. What has been built recently emulates the style of the many more historic homes that are still standing, including Craftsman-style cottages and bungalows and even more well-preserved historical home designs rarely found outside of Southern Louisiana. "There are some very large showcase houses called the 'Michigan Man' houses," Cormier says, referring to the Eastlake Victorian-styled homes built by carpetbagger sawmill owners from northern cities, who came to Lake Charles post-Civil War to capitalize on a booming lumber industry. "Essentially, it was a visual catalog of what a particular mill was able to do." This mix of preserved and weathered properties causes the average price range for homes to be wide and low for a district on the National Register of Historic Places. Single-story properties like cottages and bungalows sell for between $80,000 and $350,000, depending on their condition. Meanwhile, the Eastlake Victorian-styled Michigan Man homes sell for a higher price of $300,000 to $450,000. And newly built townhouses built with the neighborhood's historic architecture in mind are usually priced between $250,000 and $300,000.
Find your dream home in the prestigious Charpentier Historic District, Lake Charles.
Explore stunning Victorian houses in Charpentier Historic District, Lake Charles.
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Socializing at Bark Du Lac Dog Park
Multiple parks are a short distance from the neighborhood. Some within walking distance, like Bark Du Lac Dog Park, serve as an important social outlet for residents and their pets. Further west, the lakefront area is a long chain of public park land extending from Millenium Park's inclusive playground in the south to beach areas along the lake's north shore. Residents also have indoor facilities nearby that offer activities for a rainy day. A Calcasieu Parish library branch in the neighborhood offers frequent programming like arts and crafts classes, story time and archaeology discussions.
Enjoy the nearby nature trails at Bark Du Lac Dog Park for an evening hike.
Gather friends for a beach day near Charpentier Historic District at North Beach.
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The Living History Cemetery Tour and other city-wide events
Urban cemeteries and their mystical allure are especially prominent in Southern Louisiana. In Lake Charles, the annual Living History Cemetery Tour in November celebrates this every year on All Souls Day. Visitors pour into one of four cemeteries located around the neighborhood and Downtown Lake Charles, stopping at gravesites and listening to reenactors tell stories of historic figures buried there. Meanwhile, actors dressed as unnamed spirits float between the sites, adding another eerie element to the fanfare. Additional city-wide events are frequent downtown, like ChuckFest, as are smaller recurring events like the weekly Cash & Carry Farmers' Market, open every Tuesday evening.
Nightcaps at MacFarlane's Celtic Pub
Few businesses occupy the streets of the Charpentier Historic District, although shared borders with Downtown Lake Charles ensure there is plenty to do and see. Popular establishments like MacFarlane's Celtic Pub are just as important to the neighborhood as they are to downtown culture. There are businesses specific to the neighborhood too, most of which are along Broad Street, including antique shops like Recent Relics Antiques & Collectibles and clothing boutiques like Iron Shop Provisions. Further east, Las Victorias #1 is popular with those seeking a filling Mexican meal on their lunch break. For groceries, a Market Basket location is less than a mile east of Enterprise Boulevard.
Find bright, colorful antiques at Recent Relics in Lake Charles’s historic neighborhood.
Enjoy festive dining at Tia Juanitas, Charpentier Historic District, Lake Charles.
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Fairly walkable with immediate Interstate 10 access
Sidewalks and pedestrian crossings at major intersections make the Charpentier Historic District a fairly walkable neighborhood. Multiple bus routes also pass through the neighborhood and converge on busy streets like Mill Street. But Lake Charles is an otherwise car-dependent city, with most residents relying on a car to reach work or school. With Interstate 10 directly north of the neighborhood, commutes across the lake can be easy when traffic is light.
Personalized learning at Ray D. Molo Magnet Middle School
Students begin school with grades K through 2 at John J Johnson Elementary, which has a Niche score of B. Following that, students age up to Ralph F. Wilson Elementary, a C-rated school, for grades 3 through 5. Once they reach sixth grade, students begin attending Ray D, Molo Magnet Middle School, a C-rated school that offers personalized learning through online resources like IXL. High school students attend Washington-Marion Magnet High School, a C-rated school, for grades 9 through 12. 9th graders begin at Washington-Marion's Freshman Academy, which helps acquaint them with high school before fully entering it.
After school programs at Ray D. Molo Middle School are plentiful.
After school programs at Washington-Marion Magnet High School are plentiful.
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Things to consider
Although the neighborhood and its older homes have been affected by heavy storms before, it is one of Lake Charles's more resilient communities. Although aging drainage systems cause high water when it rains heavily, the neighborhood is not in a flood zone. The city has invested many resources into improving drainage systems ever since the 2020 storms, including some in and around the neighborhood.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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Charpentier Historic District Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Charpentier Historic District, Lake Charles sell after 109 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Charpentier Historic District, Lake Charles over the last 12 months is $212,500, up 24% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Restored prior to hurricanes and she just never got her glow back, but YOU can bring this 1899 beauty back to her glory days!! Priced to sell due to damages! Owner/Agent
Candice SkinnerCandice M. Skinner Real Estate, LLC.
Live in the Heart of Charpentier Neighborhood! Step into this charming 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath townhome in the historic Charpentier District, where classic style meets modern convenience! With 1,507 sq ft of space, this gem is perfect for those who love easy living and being close to all the action. The spacious, open floor plan features sleek vinyl plank floors and tons of storage throughout. Whip
Beautifully restored 4 bedroom/ 3.5 bath home located in downtown Lake Charles. This home offers 2 Master Suites one on the first level and one on the second level. There are also 4 fireplaces, original pocket doors, spacious closets, and hardwood floors throughout. Check out the modern style kitchen which is stocked with Stainless Steel appliances and granite countertops. Outdoors is equally as
The apartment is a spacious unfurnished 1-bedroom, 1-bath full-efficiency apartment located downtown Lake Charles in a friendly neighborhood, featuring authentic hardwood floors, plenty of closets that have underwent extensive remodeling in the kitchen and bath. Authentic hardwood floors were recently refinished.Each unit comes with Refrigerator, Stove, Stackable Washer and Dryer and A/C
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
