1953 Map of Belle Pass

About this map

Belle Pass serves as the focal point of this coastal landscape, where the waters of the Gulf of Mexico meet the intricate marshlands of southern Louisiana. The 1950s industry is clearly visible through an emerging network of energy infrastructure, including numerous offshore platforms, scattered Oil Wells, and several pipelines crossing the tidewaters. These features signal the early expansion of the petroleum sector in the Bay Marchand area, contrasting with the natural flow of Bayou Lafourche and Bayou Tartellon. The map documents a fluid shoreline characterized by shifting inlets and interior basins like Bay Champagne and Timbalier Bay. Navigation and monitoring are supported by localized landmarks such as a Gaging Station and a Light, which provide essential orientation points for those studying the mid-century maritime and industrial evolution of the Gulf Coast.