2018 Map of Blanchard

About this map

The northwest Louisiana landscape near Shreveport is defined by the expansive waters of Cross Lake and the intricate bayou systems that feed it. The Kansas City Southern railroad serves as a primary north-south corridor, anchoring settlements like Blanchard and Shipp. Local history is preserved in landmarks such as the Mount Zion Cem and established rural communities including Longwood and Pine Island. The topography transitions from the low-lying wetlands of Piney Bayou and Fordney Bayou to the lake's edge, where specialized features like Hidden Harbor, Wiggens Arm, and the Bird Islands emerge. This network of waterways and early transit routes illustrates the area's development from a rural agricultural and transit-oriented region into the modern suburbs of Shreveport.