1953 Map of Belle Pass

About this map

The marshy shoreline of Lafourche Parish meets the open water of the Gulf of Mexico in this mid-century coastal survey. Dominating the western edge of the quadrangle is Timbalier Bay, while the central hydrology is defined by the vital outlet of Belle Pass and the winding course of Bayou Lafourche. This period of the Louisiana coast is characterized by an emerging offshore energy economy, evidenced by the numerous oil wells and massive industrial platforms positioned throughout the gulf waters. On shore, infrastructure like the gaging station, a light, and clusters of oil tanks near Bayou Fourchon signal the logistical complexity of the delta. Navigational markers and a submerged pipeline cutting through the estuaries further illustrate the transition of these wetlands into a significant industrial corridor during the early 1950s.