1983 Map of Bilbo Island

About this map

Alabama River and Tombigbee River converge in this hydrologically complex landscape, where the shifting waters define the boundaries of Clarke, Washington, Baldwin, and Mobile counties. The map documents a labyrinth of oxbow lakes, sloughs, and backwaters, including the distinctive Jim Burr Lake and Alligator Slide. This riverine environment supported local river navigation and small landings such as Blue Ford Landing and Laurel Shanty Landing, which served as critical access points in an otherwise inaccessible wetland. On higher ground away from the marshes, Friendship Ch stands as a focal point for the local community. The confluence eventually forms the Mobile River at the southern end of Bilbo Island, a massive landmass carved out by the Bilbo Creek and the Cutoff channel. This 1983 edition represents the area just as modern infrastructure like a major pipeline and powerlines began to cut across the historic river bends and ridges like Seaboard Bluff.