A tour of historic structures built in the aftermath of the fire of 1910 will observe their approximate centennial with tours Saturday to mark the week of the 102nd anniversary of the conflagration that destroyed seven blocks of downtown Lake Charles.

The observance, free of charge, will begin at 9:45 p.m. with a ceremony to rename the auditorium at the Central School Arts and Humanities Center in memory of Benjamin W. Mount. Participating in the unveiling of a plaque honoring the late Lake Charles attorney and civic leader will be his wife, former state Sen. Willie Mount; Ann Knapp, a friend of the Mount family; Mayor Randy Roach and Laura Leach, president of Friends of Central School. The Friends organization and the Arts and Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana are sponsoring the tour.

Guided tours of the historic properties will begin at 10 a.m. They are Central School at 809 Kirby; Calcasieu Parish Courthouse at 1000 Ryan St.; the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception at 935 Bilbo St.; Lundy, Lundy, Soileau & South, former Lake Charles Post Office, at 501 Broad St.; Masonic Lodge at 717 Hodges St.; 1911 City Hall Arts & Cultural Center at 1001 Ryan St., and Temple Sinai at 713 Hodges St.

The open houses at the cathedral will end at 1:30 p.m. and at the Lundy law firm, 2 p.m. Others will continue until 4 p.m.

“After the fire, nothing but rubble was left of the area it affected,” Leach said.

The New Orleans architectural firm Favrot and Livaudais designed and oversaw construction of the participating buildings, as well as others, including the Calcasieu Marine National Bank at Ryan and Pujo streets.

Leach attended school through the eighth grades at Central School. Its cornerstone dates it to 1912, although it opened for classes in 1913.

“In preserving and restoring these historic buildings, we have learned so many interesting stories.” Leach said. “For example, my friend Annette Ballard remembered that the school had a bell tower and bell and wondered whatever happened to it. We learned that it was donated and melted down to contribute to the World War I war effort.”

“The buildings are within a small distance of each other,” Erica McCready, projects coordinator for the Arts and Humanities Council, said. “Literature on the history of each site will be available for those who attend.” Maps will be available at each location.

Central School’s celebration of the Lake Charles renaissance will include live music throughout the day by Iberville High Life and Street Side Jazz Band. The Black Heritage Gallery at Central School will exhibit photographs and displays of artifacts, including the original 1912 student and teacher desks and yearbooks. Personal memorabilia and photographs will be displayed on the second floor, and local authors will sell books.

The centennial celebration is held in conjunction with the Louisiana Bicentennial, which is coordinated regionally by the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau. Each building will offer its own centennial anniversary event, and can be contacted individually for additional information.

(American Press Archives)