1893 Map of East Delta

About this map

The low-lying marshlands of the Mississippi River delta are captured here at a critical moment in the late 19th century, during a period of significant maritime engineering and shifting geomorphology. The river branches out into the Gulf through several major distributaries, including South Pass, North Pass, and South East Pass, which are flanked by unique geological features like the North Pass Mud Lumps. Maritime activity is evidenced by navigation aids and administrative outposts such as the Pass A Loutre Light and the Revenue Station. Historically significant structures appear near the water's edge, including the Old Spanish Magazine on Balize Bayou, hinting at the area's colonial past. To the south, Port Eads stands at the end of the channel, secured by the East Jetty and West Jetty infrastructure designed to maintain deep-water access for commerce.