The Stories Behind the Names of Southwest Louisiana Towns

Lake Charles, Louisiana - We drive through these Southwest Louisiana towns all the time, but have you ever wondered how some of these towns got their names? Especially in a state as unique as Louisiana.

We see the signs for DeRidder, Sulphur, Kinder, Rosepine, Lake Charles, and all the other communities around Southwest Louisiana. But have you ever stopped and wondered **why they're called that? Some of the names are pretty easy to figure out. Others have stories that go back more than 100 years. A few even have stories that sound almost too strange to be true.

When you look at a map of Southwest Louisiana, it's easy to think the names of these towns have always been there. Some towns were named after people. Others were named after places those settlers left behind. Some were named for what people found when they arrived. Then you have a couple of our towns that have names that are just fun, and not based on history...

Here are some of the stories behind the names of Southwest Louisiana towns.

READ MORE: Top Gumbo Spots Around Lake Charles, Louisiana

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How Southwest Louisiana Towns Got Their Names

Lake Charles - Let's start with the biggest one. Lake Charles was named after Charles Sallier, an early settler in the area. Sallier and his wife, Catherine, settled near the lake in the early 1800s, and people eventually began calling it Charles' Lake. The community was once called Charleston, but that name didn't last. In 1867, the town was renamed Lake Charles.

DeRidder - The story behind the name DeRidder is one of the more unusual ones in Southwest Louisiana. The town was named after Ella de Ridder, the sister-in-law of Dutch railroad financier Jan de Goeijen. According to the City of DeRidder, Ella was one of 13 children growing up in the Netherlands. She ran away from home when she was young, and her family eventually believed she had died. They later discovered she was alive and living in the United States. When the railroad began making its way through the area, the growing community was named after Ella. Before that, the settlement was known as Schoval.

Rosepine - Rosepine has one of those names that almost explains itself. According to the Rosepine Historical Society, the name of "Rosepine" is believed to have been given by a country doctor in the area who recognized the beauty of the pine trees interlaced with wild roses. Incorporated December 24, 1902, to present.

Kinder - If you've ever wondered where Kinder got its name, you can thank James A. Kinder. Kinder arrived in the area in the late 1800s and claimed land there. He and his brother opened a small store near what is now the intersection of Highways 165 and 190. People began referring to the store as “Kinder's.” Eventually, the name became associated with the entire community. So, in a way, Kinder got its name because people kept saying they were going to Kinder's store.

Sulphur - Sulphur is probably one of the easiest Southwest Louisiana town names to explain. It was named after the "sulfur found in the area." The discovery of sulfur helped turn the community into a booming mining town. Sulfur became such an important part of the area's economy that the region was once called the “richest 50 acres in the world.” The industry helped Sulphur grow, and later the oil and petrochemical industries played a major role in shaping the city we know today.

Vinton -  Vinton's story has a connection to the Midwest. The community grew as railroads, lumber, and farming brought new people into the area. Many of those early settlers came from other parts of the country. The name "Vinton" is generally connected to Vinton, Iowa.

DeQuincy - DeQuincy grew up around the railroad and the booming lumber industry. When the Kansas City Southern Railroad came through the area, it opened up the surrounding forests and helped turn DeQuincy into an important stop for the timber business. Today, DeQuincy's railroad history is still a major part of the community, including at the DeQuincy Railroad Museum.

Westlake - Westlake's name is pretty simple once you know where to look. The area had several names over the years, but eventually people began calling it "West Lake Charles" because it was located on the west side of the lake and river from Lake Charles. Over time, that name was shortened to Westlake.

Jennings - Jennings got its name from "Jennings McComb", a railroad contractor who worked in the area. The railroad helped the community grow, bringing new people and new business to the area. Then came a major moment in Louisiana history. In 1901, Jennings became the site of Louisiana's first successful oil well. That discovery changed the future of the community and helped launch Louisiana's oil industry.

Lake Arthur - Lake Arthur's name goes back to the early settlers of the area. The lake was once known by the French name “le petit lac Mentau,” which referred to an Atakapas chief named Mentau. Later, the area became connected to Arthur LeBlanc, an early Acadian settler. Over time, the lake became known as Lake Arthur, giving the community its name.

Elton - The story behind Elton is a little different. Instead of being named after a person or a natural resource, the name is believed to have come from an English town called Elton. The name was chosen after a settler's wife came across it while reading a book. So while other Southwest Louisiana communities were named after railroad workers, settlers, or natural resources, Elton may have gotten its name from something as simple as a name someone happened to read.

Leesville - Leesville is another town with a name tied to a famous historical figure. When Vernon Parish was created in 1871, Dr. Edmund Smart donated land for the new courthouse. His father, Senator John R. Smart, named the community in honor of General Robert E. Lee. The town eventually became the parish seat, but it really began to grow after the Kansas City Southern Railroad arrived in the late 1890s. Like so many communities in this part of the state, the railroad helped change Leesville from a small settlement into a growing town.