Lynn and Debbie Wilson Broussard’s home is a natural extension of the warmth and creativity of its owners. It will come as no surprise to the couple’s family, friends and customers that photographs and photographic art is used throughout their home as a way to commemorate the important events and people in their lives and to display their favorite artists’ work.

Lynn Broussard and Paula Stebbins co-own PhotoTek, a Lake Charles photography printing and design business that’s operated on Nelson Road for the past 35 years.

In the ‘80s, the Broussards built a brand new place to live in Southeast Lake Charles. In 1995, after their son left for college they began to consider a move. The older, established neighborhoods of Lake Charles were of interest. They began to look at homes on the real estate market with character and charm built to withstand the test of time.

“But you know how it is,” said Debbie Broussard, “we would find a place that had been totally renovated and the price reflected it. Or, the house would need so much work the task seemed overwhelming. At least it would seem that way to us. We work full time, and we’re do-it-yourself kind of people.”

Finally, they found the perfect house on Helen Street. Though Debbie’s husband doesn’t remember the conversation, they didn’t plan for this to be their forever home at the time.

The house was constructed by Paul O. Moss in the early ‘30s, and someone from the Moss family lived in the house until the ‘80s. The property was originally part of the far-reaching Sallier estate. Charles Sallier was one of the area’s first settlers.

The Broussard home is quite possibly the first house built on Helen Street, according to information Debbie obtained from a neighbor. The fact that the house is not built in accordance with the other houses on the street, which better align with the street grid, may support the opinion that the Broussard house was the first.

“After we had moved in, I would be working outside and look across the street at Kathy Kay’s house, which was built in the 50s, and think it was so weird that her sidewalk was crooked,” Lynn Broussard said. “But I finally realized it’s our house that’s crooked.”

History

According to Lloyd G. Barras, in a history completed for McNeese coursework and available online, “Lake Charles Street Names and Other Memorabilia of the Lake City,” there were a number of prominent men with the surname of Moss in the formative years of the city.”

She mentions Paul O. Moss. He was secretary of Lake Charles Ice, Light and Water Works.

According to his American Press obituary published in July 1955, Paul A. Moss’ parents were Oliver Ryan Moss and Rose Pujo Moss. His wife was Corine Marie Landry.

Trent Gremillion, a local historian and Calcasieu Historical Preservation Society board member, provided the background history of the street name, Helen, from one of his books by Barras:

“It was named for Helen Knapp Fay, wife of Oliver J. Fay and daughter of Dr. S. A. Knapp.”

Gay McDonald, a Lake Charles local and great niece of Moss, said she remembers visiting “The Mosses on Helen” as a child.

“The other cousins and I would catch crabs from the lake, cook them and eat them on the back porch,” she said. Jean Lafitte spent the night with my great grandparents on more than one occasion.”

One memory of the Moss-Broussard house is particularly etched in McDonald’s mind’s eye. She wasn’t very old when her great uncle died, but her mother thought she was old enough to be a part of the family’s visit to pay its final respects. McDonald remembers her great uncle being laid out in his casket in the room used as a study by the Broussards.

The footprint of the original house hasn’t changed, except for enclosing what was once the back screened-in porch and making the area into a large full bath. Ceilings in the home are about 9 1/2 feet high. Floors are original honey-colored oak. Interior doors are six-paneled. The floor plan has no hall, as was common in the day. At some point a wall was removed to create a large master bedroom. Closets are few. The Broussards have made use of antique and antique reproduction armoires.

The house has 1,650 square feet, but feels roomier. The high ceilings and no hallway are factors. But the classic lines of furniture and its placement, combined with the careful editing of décor, complements the scale of each room. This home has been the venue for Debbie and Lynn’s 25th wedding anniversary. Their parents’ 50th anniversary parties were held there, as was a wedding. One of the celebrations had 150 friends and family in attendance.

The outside of the house has changed with the addition of a large heated pool and entertainment center that includes an outside kitchen and gas-burning fire pit that can be rolled away and stored when not needed.

Debbie dug into the history of her home before the American Press requested the interview. She has a couple of vintage photographs and newspaper articles of the Moss family who built and lived in the house for so long and she’s pored over her abstract. She’ll keep her file, but if the Broussards move from their home, Debbie left a few notes for the new owners in an interesting place – on the bottom of a kitchen drawer. The idea was loosely borrowed from her discovery of a vintage postcard lodged in a piece of antique furniture.

The notes about the house are concise and to the point. Debbie concludes with a line about how much she and her husband love their home and the wish that the new owners will feel the same way.

She likes to make people feel welcome.

“When someone walks in and says how comfortable they feel in my home, that is the best compliment,” she said. “We strive to make our home feel that way, not only for family but also for friends old and new. It is that comfortable feeling, an atmosphere of warmth and security, not necessarily afforded by roof and walls that help make a house a home.”

Debbie Broussard has researched the abstract of her home