Living History Cemetery Tour: Meet Lake Charles Legends Face-to-Face on October 26

Friday, October 26, from 5 - 8:30 p.m.

History surrounds us everywhere in Lake Charles. Streets named Ryan, Pujo, and Touchy honor figures like John “Jacob” Ryan, Jr., Paul Pujo, and Ozeite Guillory Touchy. While biographies and historians provide glimpses into their lives, the Living History Cemetery Tour bridges the gap across time. Experience these larger-than-life icons—from Toni Jo Henry to Maude Reid—and discover how they shaped our city's evolution.

On Friday, October 26, from 5 to 8:30 p.m., wander through five historic cemeteries at dusk. Visit gravesites and meet local legends portrayed by skilled actors. In their own words, they'll share how Lake Charles differed in their era, their lasting impact, and personal stories—including triumphs and tragedies—often untold beyond family front porches.

Encounter Juan Martinez Pla, a Golden Age Hollywood actor among the stars, recounting his elite life. Hear Toni Jo Henry, Louisiana's only woman executed by electrocution, reveal her gripping tale of murder and romance.

In Goos Cemetery, meet Captain Daniel J. Goos, the Danish captain who sparked Lake Charles' lumber boom after romance in New Orleans. Maude Reid shares her story and how her scrapbooks preserved the city's history after the devastating 1910 Great Fire destroyed most records.

Visit all five cemeteries at your own pace, with guides leading you to each figure. Sites include: Bilbo Cemetery on Lakeshore Drive; Goos, Huff & Thomas on N. Shattuck Street near Goos Boulevard; Orange Grove & Graceland on Broad Street; and Catholic Cemetery on Common and Iris Streets.

Tickets are $12, with proceeds benefiting the Arts Council of SWLA. Volunteers support cemetery restoration and organize clean-up days to preserve these historic sites.

To learn more or buy tickets, visit www.cemeterytourlc.eventbrite.com.