A series of Home and Real Estate articles have been exploring how developers come up with the names for their properties. Walnut Grove, the Lake Area’s first traditional neighborhood development, began construction around four years ago, and pays homage to the region’s rich history in its architecture and in most of its names. Once complete, Walnut Grove will have 180 homes and 92,000 square feet of commercial space. The development is located at the west end of Sallier St. in Lake Charles.

“We talked about several names but Walnut Grove just stood out,” said Gus Schram. He’s the executive vice president and chief operating officer of Walnut Grove Development, L.L.C.

“Back in the era before the Port of Lake Charles city docks were built – these were completed in 1926 – the area where Walnut Grove is now had evolved into a recreation area. People got there by bike, buggy, horseback or foot to play ball, picnic, swim and court,” he said. The development’s website says, “Going walking on Sunday afternoon was quite the thing. Crowds would meet at some given point and walk to Walnut Grove. Young men of courting age would take their girls on buggy rides because the long, slow ride around the lake gave ample time for conversation. These people referred to it as Walnut Grove and there were groves of black walnut trees that grew around the property.

The development company also looked to the history of Lake Charles for street names. Sallier Street, which frames the property, was already named for Charles Sallier, “one of the first settlers of Lake Charles, a noble man who fled to Louisiana to escape the French Revolution. Sallier married Catherine LeBleu. A Walnut Grove street bears her name and the name of her father Bartelmy, whose original homestead is part of the Walnut Grove neighborhood. Rex Lane was named for the Borealis Rex, a ferryboat that provided transportation and entertainment up and down the Calcasieu River, and was well know for its parties at night which were legendary, full of glamor and dancing.

Jabez Drive is named for Jabez Bunting Watkins, a banker, lawyer and land developer who successfully campaigned to bring more people to Southwest Louisiana. William Street was named for William T. Burton who purchased and restructured the Calcasieu-Marine National Bank. “He gave generously to the community, especially in the areas of education, health, civic and cultural endeavors. Mr. Burton was the great-grandfather of the founder of Walnut Grove, Jack E. Lawton, Jr.”

Walnut Grove was built on 57 acres of what was port property. Seven homes have been completed. Four are occupied. Prices for houses range from $275,000 – $600,000. Calla Restaurant joined Walnut Grove this past summer. Other businesses include First Federal, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., Morgan Stanley and the Jack Lawton offices. Schram said that a law firm has recently been added to the Post Office, a three-story retail and office space of about 8,300 square feet. Construction is underway to complete the new event center. “The event center is for business meetings, receptions and parties. It will accommodate 120 people, seated for dinner,” Schram said.

A traditional neighborhood development is a community that is designed to resemble a neighborhood that has evolved over the course of the last century. Green spaces are ample. Residents can walk to do banking, dine out or shop at the commercial properties located in the development. Use of the parks and the walking generally encourages more interaction, giving residents a sense of community. More than one or two architectural styles are represented.

These two-story Creole style houses in Walnut Grove feature paint over a masonry facade and energy saving construction. (Rita LeBleu / American Press)