1978 Map of Bossier City

About this map

The Red River floodplain and the burgeoning urban landscape of Bossier City anchor this late-1970s survey of Bossier Parish. The map reveals a transition from the industrial and military core in the south—dominated by the expansive grounds of Barksdale Air Force Base and the rail corridors of the Illinois Central Gulf RR—to the hydraulic engineering projects further north. The newly created Cypress Bayou Reservoir, held by the Cypress Bayou Dam, illustrates the mid-century transformation of the local watershed. Notable for genealogists are numerous rural landmarks such as the Old Red River Cem and Macedonia Church, alongside civic additions like Louisiana Downs and Airline Community College. The northern reaches remain largely defined by the Bodcau State Wildlife Area and the meandering path of Bodcau Bayou, preserving a sense of the region's original wetlands.