Loading map...

1893 Map of Forts

Name: 1893 Topographic Map of Forts
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1893
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1893

About this map

Fort Jackson and Fort St. Phillip stand as the primary sentinels of the lower Mississippi River in this late 19th-century survey. Positioned on opposing banks at a critical bend in the river, these fortifications highlight the strategic military importance of the Plaquemines region long after the American Civil War. The landscape is a labyrinth of marsh and open water, where the river's main channel is flanked by a complex network of bayous and canals, including the Lucas Canal and Salt Works Canal.

Beyond the riverbanks, the map reveals an environment defined by changing coastlines and barrier islands. Breton Sound and Bird Island Sound dominate the eastern reaches, dotted with features like Hog Islands and the Bird Islands. The presence of numerous passes such as Spanish Pass and Grand Pass illustrates the constant flow of water through the delta, while small inlets like Little Coquille Bay show the intricate fringe of the Louisiana coast.