1949 Map of Black Lake

About this map

The expansive Black Lake dominates the southern reaches of this survey, illustrating the low-lying marshlands of southwest Louisiana during the early 20th century. Established through field examinations in 1932, the map documents a transition in the landscape as the Intracoastal Waterway cuts a straight path through the wetlands, dividing Calcasieu Parish from Cameron Parish. The network of water bodies, including Bayou Choupique and the secluded Goose Lake, reveals a complex hydrology before significant modern developments. This advance sheet captures the region's character as a coastal wilderness defined by its bayous and shallow lakes, providing an essential record for those studying the evolution of parish boundaries and the industrial impact of major canal projects on the natural marsh ecosystem.