An area that was once defined and governed as one large parish, Imperial Calcasieu is now divided into five separate parishes: Calcasieu, Cameron, Allen, Beauregard, and Jefferson Davis. The common history shared by these communities is brought to life through vintage images in this fascinating collectionof memories. Included in Imperial Calcasieu are photographs depicting the early railroads built in the area, the development of sulphur mining, the transporting of lumber along the Calcasieu River, the rich oil fields, and the rice industry that developed on the coastal prairies of Western Louisiana. This volume also recalls several memorable events, such as the hurricane of 1918 and the Great Lake Charles Fire of 1910. The pioneer settlers and community leaders who shaped the identity of Imperial Calcasieu are celebrated within these pages, and both their triumphs and setbacks will continue to teach and inspire future generations.