The LaBleu family of Bordeaux, France, were the first Europeans to settle here in 1771. Others soon followed from Nova Scotia and New Orleans, among them Charles Sallier, after whom the lake was named. His wife, Catherine, had an affair with Jean Lafitte which led to him shooting her and then taking his own life. She was saved by an amethyst brooch and lived for many years after in a small cabin on the lake. This is notable because Lafitte continued to visit her, even after his Embrace, and it was this habit that was noticed by the Camarilla, allowing them to approach him here and propose the treachery which occured during the Civil War.
The town itself was not incorporated until 1867 with only four hundred citizens, and didn't have a permanent Cainite inhabitant until Martin LaSalle came after the war and established Dark Water Chantry, vowing to support the Prince of Baton Rouge in his efforts to secure the state for the Camarilla. At the time of his arrival, several businessmen were helping the city to grow, aided by a dock to support trade with Texas and Mexico and a railroad line to facilitate trade with the north.
The dredging of a deep water channel to the Gulf in the 1920s allowed the city to become a significant port just as the petrochemical trade on the Gulf was beginning its era of staggering growth. During the war between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, the Tremere of Dark Water has been supportive politically and magically, but has remained distant from the actual conflict. Instead the kindred of the city cultivate a quiet relationship with Houston, just in case Baton Rouge should fall or LaSalle should decide to try and supplant its Prince and need the support of the larger city.
The city has also become Lafitte's Louisana base of operations since the Acadians drove him out of Houma and Barataria Bay, and he and the Tremere are on good terms, though they do not fully trust each other's motives. At present, the city itself is known for its recreational facilities and role in international commerce on the gulf. Lafitte has been part of the reason for this latter fact, encouraging the decision to build the deep water channel and helping to divert as much trade from New Orleans as possible.