1935 Map of Catfish Lake

About this map

Catfish Lake and the surrounding marshlands of Grand Lake define this coastal landscape, surveyed in 1934 during a period of transition in Louisiana's hydraulic mapping. The use of aerial photography by the Air Corps, U. S. Army, allowed for the detailed tracing of intricate waterways like Little Pecan Bayou and Go Around Bayou. These natural drainages are contrasted by early man-made infrastructure such as the Miller Canal and the settlements along Hackberry Ridge. On Pecan Island, a labeled Boat Landing indicates the water-dependent transportation network of the era. The terrain is marked by distinct cheniers including Chenier and Elm Island, providing essential high ground amidst the expansive wetlands of the Mermentau River delta. Local landmarks such as Tebo Point and Betty offer specific points of interest for genealogists and local historians studying the early 20th-century coastal economy.