The City of Lake Charles unveiled its Sesquicentennial Logo and first commemorative item at a news conference on Thursday, November 3.

The year 2017 marks the 150th birthday of the City of Lake Charles, and special events are currently being planned to commemorate the occasion. 

“It is often said that you need a passport to visit Louisiana because it is so culturally diverse. Each little corner of the state offers its own history and personality and Lake Charles is no different,” said Lake Charles Mayor Randy Roach. “In this time of economic growth and development, we are excited to celebrate the history of Lake Charles, our roots. Many things have changed since the centennial was celebrated in 1967. Our population has grown, and our city limits have expanded; however, Lake Charles remains a resilient community where neighbors are considered family, and there’s no such thing as a stranger.” 

The logo design was donated by Healthy Image Marketing Agency and will be incorporated into all promotional efforts, including a special sesquicentennial website slated for launch at the beginning of 2017.

Plans are underway now for an April 2017 unearthing of a time capsule that was buried during the City’s Centennial Celebration held in 1967. A lakefront community celebration and opening of a special Lake Charles historical exhibit are also being planned for the fall of next year.

The first commemorative item of the sesquicentennial celebration was also unveiled at the news conference. The American Press dedicated their annual calendar to celebrating Lake Charles then and now through a series of photo comparisons. Each month of the calendar also features tidbits of Lake Charles history.

“We want this celebration to be one that includes and celebrates everyone in our community,” said Senator Willie Mount, Sesquicentennial Steering Committee Chair. “In addition to the special events being planned, we will be leveraging social and traditional media to engage citizens. We are grateful to the American Press and their efforts to help us kick-off the celebration with the release of their 2017 calendar, our first commemorative item.”

For more information on the Sesquicentennial Celebration, contact Katie Harrington at 491-1382 or katie.harrington@cityoflc.us. For more information on how to get a sesquicentennial calendar, contact the American Press at 494-4040.