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1986 Map of De Ridder

Name: 1986 Topographic Map of De Ridder
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1986
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1986

About this map

The city of De Ridder serves as the focal point of this 1986 survey, displaying the post-war expansion and the logistical importance of the Beauregard Parish Airport in western Louisiana. The landscape is defined by the transition from urban settlement to managed agricultural lands, specifically for rice cultivation in the southern sections. Notable rural outposts such as Bon Ami and Carson are visible, alongside industrial remnants like the Old RR Grade, which speaks to the region's historic dependence on rail transport for timber and freight.

The hydrology of the area is intricate, with Hickory Branch, Palmetto Creek, and Turkey Hollow Creek carving through the terrain. Evidence of local industry is found in scattered Gravel Pit operations and the Fair Ground situated near the city center. For genealogists, the map identifies specific landmarks like the Swamp Smith Landing Strip and unnamed Cem locations that provide geographical anchors for family histories in Beauregard Parish.