1966 Map of Belle Chasse

About this map

The Mississippi River creates a sharp oxbow around Twelvemile Point, defining the complex border between Orleans Parish, St. Bernard Parish, and Plaquemines Parish. This mid-century landscape is dominated by the transition from riverfront industry and military installations to the vast wetlands of Big Mar and Lake Lery. Transport on the west bank centers on the U S N Air Station and the Belle Chasse Ferry, while the east bank shows the Southern Railroad serving riverside settlements like Braithwaite and Poydras. Beyond the levees, the marsh is crisscrossed by canals and marked by numerous drill holes, indicating the region's intense mid-century petroleum exploration. Smaller communities such as St Clair, Stella, and Dalcour cling to the narrow strip of high ground along the river, punctuated by local landmarks like Bethlehem Ch and the English Turn Cem.