1954 Map of Burton Creek

About this map

The Fort Polk Military Reservation dominates the southern half of this landscape, marking a period of significant military presence in Vernon Parish during the mid-1950s. The northern reaches follow the meandering course of the Calcasieu River, where numerous tributaries like Flat Branch and Big Slough feed into the bottomlands. This area is characterized by scattered rural landmarks that define its social history, including several local congregations such as Union Grove Church and Walnut Hill Church. Evidence of earlier transport and communication is preserved through the inclusion of a dismantled railroad and early telephone lines. Small rural clusters like Hicks appear alongside specialized sites like the Observation post, reflecting the dual nature of this territory as both a quiet residential parish and a strategic military training ground.