1983 Map of Broussard

About this map

The Vermilion River and Bayou Teche anchor this detailed study of south-central Louisiana, where the expanding city of Lafayette meets the traditional agricultural and rail corridors of the Acadiana region. The Southern Pacific railroad line cuts a diagonal path through the landscape, linking the urban center to the town of Broussard and smaller settlements like Billeaud and Poches. This era of the early 1980s captures the transition between historic parish land divisions and modern infrastructure, evidenced by the Lafayette Regional Airport and the complex system of drainage such as the Evangeline Canal and Ruth Canal. Significant cultural landmarks, including the Holy Rosary Institute and Breaux High Sch, provide important touchstones for local genealogy. The map also delineates the meandering Bayou Tortue and the distinctive swampy terrain of Cypress Island, illustrating the persistent influence of the natural hydrology on the local settlement pattern.