An early streetcar neighborhood adjacent to downtown
Recognized as an official historic district by the state of Louisiana, the Margaret Place Historic District is distinguished for its architecture and location. A pocket community grafted to the south end of downtown Lake Charles, the neighborhood is a spec of scenic lakefront sitting between two bayous, home to some of the city's most established and manicured houses. "When the city expanded its boundaries after the Great Fire of 1910, there were five streetcar lines in Lake Charles," says local historian Adley Cormier. "Margaret Place was named for the fact that it was Margaret Perkins' farm, which was redeveloped after the great fire when the streetcar line was extended and it became one of the city's early streetcar subdivisions." With the volume of activities and businesses that surround the neighborhood today, residents revel in their close community's polished aesthetics, calm streets and pleasant breezes.
Nature lovers relax amidst the greenery of Drew Park.
Relax by the lakefront in Lake Charles’ Margaret Place Historic District.
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Historic bungalows and manors with lake views and boathouses
In line with Southwest Louisiana's famously charming architecture, the neighborhood features a mix of picturesque homes. Many sport a palette of muted colors and subtle details such as exposed rafter tails, decorative glass front doors and wrought iron flourishes. "Most of the structures in Margaret Place are from about 1910 to about 1945, so there's a lot more bungalows in Margaret Place than in other parts of the city," Cormier says,. "Although there are a couple of two-story, grand Edwardian-style houses." Today, homes in the neighborhood remain some of the city's most renowned for their architecture as well as their luxury amenities like backyard pools and private boathouses. The median price for a single-family home in the neighborhood is around $425,000, but there were only two sales between December 2023 and April 2024, ranging from $100,000 to $440,000 for a single-story home. Square footage is the primary factor affecting price. Homes have an average size of 3,200 square feet on lots typically maxing out at a third of an acre. Smaller homes less than 1,000 sq. feet tend to be priced the lowest, while those on the high end of the range often begin around 2,500 sq. feet. And yet occasional million-dollar outliers also pop up from time to time.
Admire Edwardian manor homes in Margaret Place’s historic district.
Margaret Place features charming cottages with classic Lake Charles style.
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Inclusive playgrounds and legends of the Sallier Oak
Private boathouses along Shell Beach Drive are a coveted feature in this lakefront neighborhood. Numerous parks surround the neighborhood, like the Bord Du Lac Marina and Millenium Park's pirate-themed playground directly across Pithon Bayou. However, the bridge on Lakeshore Drive is a bit narrow for pedestrians looking to cross into downtown. Lock Park is closer and easier to walk to than the downtown parks. Residents look forward to an accessible playground that will replace Lock Park's current playground, providing a more inclusive play environment. Drew Park is also a short walk from the neighborhood, offering a scenic view of the lake, a playground and picnic tables shaded by live oak trees. Drew Park is also home to a recreational center that includes a game room with pool tables, TVs and video games. Around the corner, the Imperial Calcasieu Museum offers events and exhibits. After heavy storms, residents from across the city pass by to see if the museum's 300-year-old live oak tree still stands. "The Sallier Oak has a number of stories attached to it," Cormier says, citing urban legends that involve pirate meetings, ghost sightings and pistol duels. "It's another survivor of Southwest Louisiana. After one of the storms, it was actually split in half by a lightning strike, so the owner tried to winch it back together using some harbor chain. And you can still see the harbor chain in the tree."
After school programs at Ray D. Molo Middle School are plentiful.
Families enjoy sunny days and scenic paths at Drew Park.
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Holiday house tours and pop-up events
Home to an active community, Margaret Place Historic District is partly known for its social engagement. When December arrives, residents of Shell Beach Drive dress their manicured lakefront homes in reams of twinkling lights, opening their doors to the self-guided house tours of Jingle & Mingle. Meanwhile, local high school bands and choirs play holiday carols on the street, adding more holiday fanfare to the seasonal tableau. The recreational center in Drew Park offers a variety of activities, including seasonal painting classes and summer day camps for kids, plus special events like Book It to the Park, a free pop-up library event featuring a story walk, a scavenger hunt and miniature train rides.
Support high school ballerinas performing at the Downtown Holiday Stroll.
Golden Nugget and L’Auberge bring excitement to Lake Charles with gaming and entertainment.
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Bread pudding from 121 Artisan Bistro
Several beloved local restaurants sit across the street from the neighborhood. 121 Artisan Bistro is a sleek, upscale option for Italian fare, plus a bread pudding locals swear by. The no-frills neighborhood watering hole Old Bastard's Bar and Grill serves up Cajun classics like crawfish. Most shopping areas are on Ryan Street, just past the many law offices south of downtown. For groceries, residents drive half a mile to a Walmart Neighborhood Market on Sallier Street. For most other needs, they drive a bit further south to the Prien Lake Mall, where 80 stores are surrounded by several blocks of big-box stores, chain restaurants and smaller strip malls like Southgate Shopping Center.
Treat yourself to Italian dishes at 121 Artisan Bistro near Margaret Place.
Savor Cajun classics at Old Bastards Bar & Grille near Margaret Place.
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Streets honor local heroes
To get around, most residents depend on Interstate 210, less than 2 miles south. ParaTransit buses can be picked up from Ryan Street. The neighborhood is relatively walkable from within, but walking to surrounding neighborhoods is difficult due to a lack of pedestrian infrastructure. Residents can walk 4 blocks west to reach Ochsner St. Patrick Hospital's apropos location on Dr. Michael Debakey Drive. "The neighborhood history is not all old, old, old," Cormier says, referring to the neighborhood's southern border, renamed in 2008 to honor Dr. Debakey, a prominent surgeon born in Lake Charles who was instrumental in establishing the U.S. Army's M-A-S-H program, later inspiring the popular television program starring Alan Alda.
Explore Prien Lake Mall for shopping and dining near Margaret Place.
Sulphur certainly stands on its own from Lake Charles.
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STEM opportunities at Barbe Elementary School
Barbe Elementary School, rated B-minus by Niche, is the first stop for neighborhood students. In addition to a standard curriculum, Barbe Elementary offers any student the opportunity to enroll in the Combre-Fondel Northside STEM Academy, offering specialized hands on classroom experiences. Once they reach sixth grade, students head to Ray D. Molo Middle School, rated C, followed by Washington-Marion Magnet High School, also rated C. All three schools have class sizes below the national average of 17 students per teacher.
Teachers at Barbe Elementary School guide students toward achieving their best.
After school programs at Ray D. Molo Middle School are plentiful.
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Pump stations nearby help reduce bayou flooding
Wedged between two bayous and a lake, Margaret Place contends with flooding more than most neighborhoods in Lake Charles. Almost all of the neighborhood is located in a special hazard flood zone, as the surrounding bayous serve as floodways that help the rest of the city drain floodwaters into Lake Charles. With the neighborhood situated right next to the lake, it also experiences higher wind speeds, than neighborhoods further inland, which can be especially hazardous in a hurricane — not a rare thing in the region. But a pump station immediately north of the neighborhood helps curtail the impact of storm surges.
Margaret Place offers beautiful lakefront properties in Lake Charles.
Margaret Place offers unmatched scenic views of Lake Charles’ from Millennium Park.
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A timelessly renovated 1940s Gem in Margaret Place Historic District. Discover the perfect blend of modern luxury and historic charm at 1605 Griffith Street. Just one block from Shell Beach Drive’s scenic mixed-use path and steps from vibrant downtown Lake Charles, nestled in the heart of the coveted Margaret Place neighborhood, this 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom home sits on a spacious lot. Its location
Prime lot near Downtown Historic District- READY TO BUILD! Don't miss out on this rare opportunity to own a cleared, build-ready lot near the heart of the Lake Charles Historic District. It is perfectly positioned for both residential and commercial development. This versatile property offers endless possibilities for a custom home, a charming boutique, or a mixed-use space.
On the picturesque corner of Harrison Street & Dr Michael DeBakey Drive, sits this historic Arts & Crafts Bungalow with an amazing front porch overlooking the lawn, a restaurant & businesses beyond. Margaret Place Subdivision opens up behind the home. Leaded glass, stained glass and gorgeous wood floors are just a few of the period details that will delight the senses. Formal living and dining
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Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
179
Median Age
43
Population Density
5 ppl/acre
Population under 18
20.7%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
22.9%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$121,428
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$143,023
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
97%
College Graduates
72.2%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
29.3%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
73.2%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
60''
Average Winter Low Temperature
44°F
Average Summer High Temperature
92°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
60/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
49/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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.
