1893 Map of Forts

About this map

Fort Jackson and Fort St. Phillip stand as strategic sentinels on the lower Mississippi River, guarding the vital water passage to New Orleans in the late 19th century. This survey, compiled from work by the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, reveals the complex coastal geography of Plaquemines Parish before modern delta changes. The landscape is a labyrinth of marsh and water, where man-made infrastructure like the Lucas Canal and Salt Works Canal cut through the wetlands near Bird Island Sound. To the east, the map details a fragile archipelago including Battledore Island and the Hog Islands within the broad expanse of Breton Sound. The intricate network of passes and bayous, such as Spanish Pass and Bayou Grand Liard, illustrates the natural drainage patterns of the river's lower reaches, providing a critical reference for understanding the historical shoreline and early maritime defenses of Louisiana.