1949 Map of Belle Pass

About this map

Bayou Lafourche and its outlet into the Gulf of Mexico dominate this coastal landscape, which was compiled from aerial photography just as the mid-century era began. This advance sheet captures the intricate lattice of marshes and inlets where the bayou meets Belle Pass. The settlement of Belle sits near the western shoreline, adjacent to Raccoon Pass and the open waters of Timbalier Bay. The map provides a detailed view of the natural and engineered hydrology of the Louisiana coast, including the circular Bay Champagne and the Evans Canal. These features illustrate the precarious transition between the mainland wetlands and the open gulf, showing the area before decades of significant coastal erosion altered the shape of Bay Marchand and the surrounding barrier-island landforms.