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1955 Map of Forked Island

Name: 1955 Topographic Map of Forked Island
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1964
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1964

About this map

The Southern Pacific railroad corridor and the settlement of Kaplan define the northern edge of this Vermilion Parish landscape during the mid-1950s. The transition from established agricultural lands to the marshy coastal fringe is marked by a complex network of drainage and transport infrastructure, including the Intracoastal Waterway and numerous pumping stations. Local family names are deeply etched into the geography through landmarks like the Broussard Landing Field and Hebert Cem.

To the south, the terrain fragments into a labyrinth of named islands and bayous leading toward White Lake. Many of these islands, such as Greens Pine Island, Marrone Isle, and Jacks Point Island, indicate a history of seasonal use and navigation through the wet prairies. Further east, the community at Forked Island and the isolated Cow Island represent small pockets of habitation tied to the water, while the Schooner Bayou Canal provides a vital link through the southern marshes.