1894 Map of Bayou De Large

About this map

Lake Washa and the expansive wetlands of Terrebonne Parish dominate this late 19th-century landscape, captured shortly before major environmental changes and coastal erosion altered the region's geography. The map emphasizes the intricate hydrology of the Louisiana coast, where Bayou de Large serves as a primary artery of transportation and settlement amidst the marsh. Unlike modern maps of the region, the 1890 survey records the original contours of water bodies like Lake de Cade and the winding course of Bayou Grand Caillou at the edge of Caillou Lake. The absence of roads and the concentration of structures along the higher ground of the bayou levees illustrate the water-dependent economy and lifestyle of the period, providing a baseline for researchers studying the historical shoreline and early maritime life in Southern Louisiana.