1951 Map of Bernice

About this map

Bernice serves as the primary hub of this North Louisiana landscape, where the Chicago Rock Island and Pacific RR cuts a straight line through the timbered terrain of Union and Claiborne Parishes. The map reveals a dense network of rural life during the mid-20th century, characterized by numerous country churches such as Mt Sterling Ch and New Bethel Ch, alongside family-named burial grounds like Coley Cem and Taylor Cem. In the northeastern reaches, the community of Spearsville is surrounded by a complex system of creek branches including Tenmile Creek and Lion Creek. A significant landscape change is documented with the appearance of Bayou D'Arbonne Lake and Corney Lake, illustrating the transition of the local hydrology from purely riverine bayous to managed reservoirs and recreation areas.