Rudolph Krause, Sr. (June 26, 1863 – December 21, 1944) came to Southwest Louisiana from Prussia (now Germany) 136 years ago, according to research conducted by the late Nola Mae Ross. Krause left a lasting impression. The business he operated with his partner, William H. Managan, Sr., is still the operating name for two local businesses.

Krause married Della Alma Sherard in 1895. They had four children: Rudolph Edward, Karl, Elizabeth Partridge and Alma Foster. (Rudolph Edward married Della Bel. They built the Tudor style home at 623 Shell Beach Drive a few years later.)

The home Rudolph August William Henry Krause built his family in 1925 at 1301 Shell Beach Drive is one of the area’s most remarkable properties today.

Titus Miller and Pete Olivier, contractors, built the house in 10 months. Dougherty & Gardner Architects designed the house. Edward Dougherty was one of Nashville’s noted architects in the early 20th century, according to information from the National Register of Historic Places.

Dougherty studied architecture in Paris, practiced first in Atlanta and moved to Nashville. His Nashville partner was Thomas Gardner, a Tennessee native. The firm designed notable buildings throughout the South. Many are landmarked.

In 1952, Margaret Cosse Richard wrote about Della Alma Sherard Krause in the Southwest Citizen (a predecessor of the American Press). Richard called the 1301 Shell Beach Drive residence the family’s “dream home” and described Delma Krouse as very active in the community, a hostess who had no time for past regrets. She kept her hands busy, and she was focused on family and the future. During her time at 1301 Shell Beach Drive, she opened her home for Enterprise Club meetings, parties and benefits.

Della Sherard Krouse was Oma to her grandchildren. One of those grandchildren, Elizabeth Goldsmith, daughter of the late Elizabeth “Bessie” Krause Partridge, describes her grandfather as dynamic and her grandmother as very dear. She can still remember her visits to 1301 Shell Beach Drive.

“We had the run of the place and could play everywhere except for the living room, which had some very elegant furniture,” Goldsmith recalled.

Goldsmith said the children played mostly by the ponds on the 9-acre property and in the third-story ballroom.

“I will never forget,” she said. “I was a little frightened of the leopard skin rug with the head attached.”

The Greek Revival-style influenced property has almost 10,000 square feet, five bedrooms, four full baths and two half-baths. It also has a study, billiard room, bar, family room, music room, morning room, living room, dining room and basement.

The glassed-in swimming pool was updated in 2015; the boat/guest house was built in 2005; the carriage house has three bays and a loft apartment; and in 2008 a one-bedroom cottage was constructed on the property.

The house has been home to only four families in 92 years: the Krauses, the Burtons, the Shaddocks and now, Rick and Donna Guzman Richard.

In the tradition of the original owners, Rick and Donna Richard have invested resources to better the community, particularly in the areas of education, the arts, downtown development and historic preservation/adaptive reuse.

Rick and Donna grew up in Lake Charles. She asked him to a TWERP dance when they were sophomores. He decided then that he would marry her.

Education and careers took them away from Lake Charles. They made 11 moves and lived in at least six states before returning to Lake Charles in 2005. Home has always in older neighborhoods and a New Jersey residence was built in 1869.

It was the warm and inviting character of the Shell Beach Drive home that attracted the Richards.

“I didn’t want cold and sterile,” Donna said, “and the millwork in this house was unbelievable,” Donna said. “The original owner was in the lumber industry.”

The Richards purchased the home in 2004, and were beginning to move in new furnishings when Hurricane Rita hit in September 2005.

Donna was worried about moving a large dining room table upstairs before the hurricane. She needn’t have worried. The house weathered the storm. They stayed in the home during Hurricane Ike in 2008.

Like the Krauses, the Richards have loved having plenty of room for family gatherings as well as hosting events in the home for area nonprofits.

The house was the first of four Lake Charles historical properties purchased by the Richards.

They rescued the downtown Calcasieu Marine National Bank building, which was built in 1928 and designed by noted New Orleans architectural firm Favrot and Livaudais.

When Rick asked Donna what she thought about the idea of purchasing the Calcasieu Marine National Bank Building, she – the accountant — responded:

“I think it’s stupid, but you look pretty excited about it,” she recalled telling her husband.

“Nobody wanted it,” said Rick. “It would have been bulldozed.” It’s one thing to save a building, but another to adapt and reuse a historic property. Except for Tom Shearman, no one had really been doing that downtown.”

Rick built the Phoenix Building on the northwest corner of Kirby and Ryan Streets and credits Shearman and Henry Lyles for their part in sharing his vision for an area that feels to him like an old town square. Construction began in 2010.

The Richards are also responsible for the restoration/adaptive reuse of the 1930s Cash Grocery & Sales building, which is used for special events and farmer’s market. Most recently Donna Richard restored the Noble Building, which is now home to the Villa Restaurant and apartments.

All three buildings and the Shell Beach home are included on the National Register of Historic Places.

When the Richards first moved into their home in 2005, it was rumored they chose it not only because of their appreciation of its history and the woodwork, but also because it had an elevator that could be used by one of their pets. That wasn’t the case.

However, it is her pets that Donna Richard does name when answering the question, “What makes your house a home?

The Richards continue to make a lasting impression on the landscape of Lake Charles, and it on them. After a Facebook recommendation, Donna Richard named Golden Retrievers and a rescued cat, Kirby, Ryan and Bilbo. In the home’s music room was partially assembled jigsaw puzzle. When the pieces are assembled, it will show a map of Lake Charles and include the Richard’s properties.

This Shell Beach Drive home was constructed in 1925 and is currently the home of Rick and Donna Richard. (Special to the American Press)