1892 Map of Donaldsonville

About this map

Donaldsonville serves as the focal point of this riverfront survey, positioned at the sharp bend where the Mississippi River meets the bayou country. The landscape is defined by the complex hydrology of the lower Mississippi, featuring the Nita Crevasse and its extensive alluvial deposit, which significantly altered the terrain of St. James Parish. The map reveals a plantation-era settlement pattern with long, narrow land tracts stretching back from the riverbanks, punctuated by communities like Belle Helene, Burnside, and Convent. Transportation networks of the late nineteenth century are clearly visible, including the Texas and Pacific and the Louisville New Orleans and Texas railroads. For genealogists and historians, the inclusion of Indian Mounds and specific landings such as Pt Houmas and College Point provides a look at the cultural and economic landmarks that anchored these river parishes.