1954 Map of East Delta

About this map

The dynamic Mississippi River delta in the early 1950s is defined here by its complex network of distributaries, where Pass a Loutre, South Pass, and North Pass fan out into the Gulf of Mexico. This coastal landscape in Plaquemines Parish shows a heavy industrial presence alongside conservation efforts, with the Delta Duck Oil Field and Garden Island Bay Oil Field operating near the Delta National Wildlife Refuge. The map provides a look at maritime infrastructure of the era, including the South Pass Pilot Station at Port Eads and the Northeast Pass Lighthouse Tower. Beyond the primary channels, smaller features like Rigaud Ridge and Bastian Lake break up the marshlands, while the Freeport Sulphur Co and various underground pipes indicate the mid-century extraction economy driving the region's development.