1951 Map of Cat Island

About this map

The Juan De Cuevas Claim dominates the landscape of Cat Island in this mid-century survey, reflecting the complex colonial and private land history of the Gulf Coast. The island's distinctive T-shape is defined by coastal features like North Point and the prominent Great Sand Hill, which rises above the surrounding marsh and timber. To the south, the terrain fragments into a series of elongated sand formations including Middle Spit, South Spit, and Phoenix Spit, illustrating the dynamic nature of the Mississippi Sound's barrier islands before later storms and erosion altered their profiles. Maritime researchers will find interest in the documented hydrography, from the Flowing Well on the eastern shore to the navigation hazards of Raccoon Swash and the West Bank. The map also captures the boundary between Harrison County and St. Bernard Parish, marking the intersection of Mississippi and Louisiana waters in the Chandeleur Channel.