1963 Map of Franklin

About this map

Bayou Teche defines the economic and geographic spine of this St. Mary Parish landscape, where historical sugar plantations and growing industrial centers meet the edge of the Louisiana marsh. The settlements of Baldwin and Franklin serve as the primary hubs, connected by the Southern Pacific and Missouri Pacific railroads. Local landmarks like the Bodin Plantation and Lucy Plantation speak to the area's agricultural roots, while the Jeanerette Oil and Gas Field and several pumping stations indicate the mid-century energy economy. South of the town centers, the land transitions into a complex network of waterways, including the Charenton Drainage and Navigation Canal and the Intracoastal Waterway, which cut through the wetlands toward Mud Lake and Jaws Bay. This survey captures the region just before significant coastal changes, showing the meticulous drainage systems like the Vacherie Canal required to maintain the inland settlements.