1893 Map of Fort Livingston

About this map

Ft. Livingston stands as a primary sentinel at the eastern edge of Grand Isle, guarding the entrance to the expansive Barataria Bay. Compiled by H. L. Baldwin Jr. from late 19th-century surveys, this map captures the complex labyrinth of the Louisiana coast before modern engineering significantly altered the hydrologic patterns of the Mississippi Delta. The landscape is defined by a dense network of tidal passes and lagoons, including Lake Grande Ecaille and Bay Batiste, where the transition from the Gulf of Mexico to the inland bayous is marked by scattered landforms like Queen Bess Id. and Mendicant Island. Navigation aids such as the Light at Grand Pass highlight the maritime importance of this region, providing a detailed record of the shoreline and maritime infrastructure during a period when these waterways were the essential arteries for regional trade and coastal defense.