The Official Website of The City of Sulphur, Louisiana
The following information was complied by The Sulphur F.F.A., The West Calcasieu Association of Commerce, and The Mayor's Office. All Rights Reserved!
Facts:
Here's a quick look at our area of Louisiana to acquaint you with local facilities, government, education, and more.
Industry: Why does any given section of the United States have industry? Invariably, it's because that area is economically conductive to the operation of industrial plants. Under the present national and international economy, industry is constantly seeking opportunities - and places - for expansion.
Under ideal conditions, the location provides the opportunity. And therein lies the story of the industrial growth of Sulphur. With the natural decrease of availability of sulphur mineral in the area, the sulphur industry turned to exploration for oil. Success in that endeavor lead to the virtual surrounding of the area with oil wells.
The discovery of oil led to the establishment of companion industries, refineries, manufacturing plants, etc. The successful existence of those led to the introduction of the smaller, so called supporting industries providing for either the needs of the manufacturing plants themselves or the needs of the people who work at the plants.
Where people work and live, they spend. Hence, a perpetual cause and effect relationship that, as yet, knows no end. Current natural and economic factors invite establishment of more payrolls, contribute to a growing community, and in short, make Sulphur one of the fastest developing areas in the nation.
Government: Sulphur was proclaimed a city on January 11, 1952 and operates under a home rule charter with a mayor/council government.
Population: The population of the city has grown from 5,996 in 1950 to about 22,000 today
Organizations: Practically every religious, fraternal, service, and civic organization existing today is represented in the Sulphur area.
Agriculture: Long before industrialization came to the western area of Calcasieu Parish, Sulphur was a leader in farming and animal industry. Today, soybeans and rice are the major money crops, with timber, beef, and dairy cattle adding dollars to the area's economy.
Climate: To enjoy living, one needs a mild climate, adaptable to both work and play. Sulphur has a mean average temperature of 68 degrees. Average rainfall is 58.4 inches, average winter temperature is 53 degrees, and average summer temperature is 77 degrees.
Schools: Sulphur boasts an excellent system, with six elementary, three middle, and one high school in the public system and several parochial schools. Sulphur High, with an enrollment of about 2000 students in grades 9-12, has an excellent reputation in both academic and athletics.
Hospitals: On August 19, 1953, West Calcasieu-Cameron Hospital opened its doors for the care and treatment of the residents west of The Caclasieu River.
West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital is an organization on the move, one that will always remember its tradition of caring and warmth. Combined with state-of-the-art medical technology, patients receive personalized attention by the highly skilled staff. Their belief is that prevention and wellness are the keys to a healthy life.
Patient care and community education areas include a number of medical and wellness specialties:
For over 40 years, West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital has become a medical complex providing health and wellness services to Southwest Louisiana residents.
Churches: Sulphur has 37 churches, representing many different faiths.
Parks and Recreation: Sulphur has one of the finest recreation organizations existing in the South today. The Sulphur Parks and Recreation Office is located in Frasch Park and coordinates a well-rounded program, including baseball, softball, soccer, golf, swimming, and football. Frasch Park and McMurry Park in Maplewood are state-of-the-art recreational facilities which have hosted numerous state championships in softball, baseball, and basketball.
All activities are conducted on a supervised basis, with many volunteer coaches and managers. The program is designed to offer a wide variety of sporting events for children 6-18.
In addition to the many sporting activities, Frasch Park also is home to an 18 hole golf course, driving range, and newly renovated clubhouse.
Events: Cal-Cam Fair: One of the few bi-parish fairs in the State of Louisiana, this annual event has been going strong since 1924. Activities, including a parade, carnival rides, livestock, craft shows, and beauty pageants, entertain the fairgoers. This event is held at the Cal-Cam Fairgrounds and occurs in late September or early October.
Sulphur Mines Festival: Conceived as an event to educate our youth on their history and an opportunity for our community to join together in celebration of our heritage, the Sulphur Mines Festival is an annual event held in the fall. The festival features a beauty pageant, cookoffs, craft exhibitions, food booths, and other activities.
Museums: The Brimstone Museum was established in 1976 to commemorate the development of the Frasch process of mining sulfur at the turn of the century. From the one ton block of sulfur on display at the entrance to a professionally designed lighted display explaining the Frasch process, the history of the American sulfur industry, which began here, dominates the Brimstone Museum.
The Museum also includes other exhibits such as local taxidermy art, a collection of antique medical instruments, and photos of the community during the sulfur mining days, as well as other memorabilia from the period. The Brimstone Historical Society, operator of the Museum, stages special exhibits and shows throughout the year.
The Museum is housed in the Sulphur Depot of the Southern Pacific Railroad. It was moved from downtown Sulphur to Frasch Park in 1976 as a project of the American Revolution Bicentennial Celebration.
The West Calcasieu Association of Commerce, which serves the communities of Sulphur, Vinton, and Westlake, has its office in the Museum.
The Official Website of The City of Sulphur, Louisiana
The Official Website of The Sulphur Police Department
