LAKE CHARLES, LA — Long before modern casinos, luxury hotels, and waterfront development, Lake Charles was earning a reputation for something far more enduring: remarkable architecture. Get our free mobile appWhy Lake Charles Has So Many Historic HomesFounded in the 1840s, Lake Charles quickly became a booming lumber town that attracted settlers from Germany, France, Spain, Louisiana's Creole communities, and nearby Cajun parishes. The 1910 Fire Changed Lake Charles ForeverMuch of early Lake Charles was built almost entirely of wood. Some of the Oldest Buildings in Lake Charles, LouisianaThere are too many to feature in this post, but below are several videos that offer wonderful images and facts about Lake Charles. Lake Charles History Lives On TodayHistoric Lake Charles isn't just about beautiful homes.