History of Calcasteu Parish, Louisiana; Louisiana / Southwest Louisiana Biographical and Historical

Gulf Publishing Company, 1891. Early days in Calcasieu Parish, LA, which includes the communities of Dequincy, Lake Charles, Sulphur, Westlake, Iowa and Vinton, are recalled through a mixture of colorful tales and factual data in this brand new 118-page 8.5" x 11" spiral-bound book, printed on 60# opaque paper. The full-color front cover is protected with a vinyl sheet. The book includes excerpts from two hard-to-find vintage publications: Southwest Louisiana Biographical and Historical, edited by William Henry Perrin and originally published by the Gulf Publishing Company in 1891, and Louisiana, a Guide to the State, compiled by Workers of the Writers' Program of the WPA in 1941. In addition to the usual data found in county histories, this book looks at the reasons for the population boom in the Lake Charles area, Reese Perkins and his backwoods justice, the speedy growth of timber in this parish, Calcasieu as "the home of the fig", a poem called "Evening on the Calcasieu", the importance of railroads, the sulphur mine, the story of how Lisbon turned into Bagdad, leaving the unwary holding the bag, and the high cost of ferries. In addition to the many names mentioned in the history section, there are a number of biographies of prominent citizens: D.D. Andrus, B.C. Andrus, Joseph A. Anderson, Capt. J.W. Bryan, Thompson Bird, Dennis E. Baggett, E.H. Burleson, Dr. J.M. Coley, Joseph Cooper, Charles Carbello, Emile Corbello, John F. Cloney, G.W. Corkran, A.L. Cole, F.R. Curtis, S.L. Cary, William Cary, Isaiah Drury, Thomas P. Davies, J.V. Duhon, Elly H. Dees, Edward Escoubas, Lewis C. Foster, George W. Foster, Ulysse Fruge, Dennis M. Foster, Dr. Reuben Flanagan Gray, John G. Gray, Joseph C. Gibbs, A.M. Gauthier, Joseph Goodman, Rev. H. Gellert, T.E. George, W.H. Haskell, A.P. Hebert, Pierre A. Hebert, Dossilee H. Hebert, D. Hebert, William L. Hutchins, Capt. Thomas Hansen, A.P. Hewett, Capt. Green Hall, C.P. Hampton, W.M. Holiday, J.F. Hanchey, J.E.M. Hennigan, Demcy Iles, Thomas Kleinpeter, Dr. W.A. Knapp, J.A. Landry, Z. Lebleu, William F. Lyle, Joseph C. LeBleu, Dr. E.J. Lyons, Jno. L. Lyons, Col. A.R. Mitchell, John McNeese, Thad. Mayo, Charles Miller, Levi A. Miller, Edmund D. Miller, Elias Miers, William Miers, Jno. F. Miers, William Meyer, Adolph Meyer, Joseph W. Moore, Dr. L.H. Moss, J.V. Moss, L.N. Mims, A.D. McFarlain, John McCormick, William N. Nelson, J.M. Neely, Isaac Nichols, Robert P. O'Bryan, E.M. Power, C.T. Perkins, Arsine P. Pujo, Dr. A.J. Perkins, Nathaniel Prentice, John H. Poe, J.V. Richard, J.L. Ryan, Judge Stephen D. Read, Jacob Ryan, Francis M. Rowe, M.J. Rosteet, J.W. Rosteet, M.W. Ryan, John H. Roberts, D.J. Reid Jr., Lastie Reon, E.R. Shankland, William F. Schwing, James D. Standfield, S.O. Shattuck, E. Sherley, M.Q. Swilley, W.H. Simpson, W.C. Sabin, David R. Swift, C. St. Germain, James Simmons, E.A. Slaydon, Rev. Stephen Smith, Alexander Verret, William B. Welborn, Felix K. Welsh, James L. West, Joseph A. Whitman, George H. Wells, Ezra Z. Young and Dr. R.M. Zawadsky. The WPA book gives a nostalgic glimpse from a 1941 vantage point, including interesting historical notes, especially as they relate to sightseeing possibilities. The main excerpt concerns the City of Lake Charles, and besides an overview, it includes the Lake Charles Harbor and Terminal District, a map of the city and numerous points of interest, such as McNeese State College. There is also a tour that includes Iowa, Sulpher, Vinton and Toomey. A map of southwestern Louisiana is also in the book. . Limited Edition Reprint. Spiral/Comb. New/No Jacket. 8.5" x 11".