1963 Map of French Settlement

About this map

The Amite River meanders through this 1963 survey of the borderlands between Livingston and Ascension Parishes. The landscape is dominated by the complex hydrology of the St Amant Swamp, where numerous bayous like Cocodrie Bayou and Poley Bayou drain into larger basins such as Lake Villars and Lake Martin. Settlement patterns follow the high ground and riverbanks, most notably at the namesake French Settlement and the river port of Port Vincent. The map provides significant genealogical value, documenting numerous remote house sites and local landmarks of faith including Lady of the Lake Ch, Faithful Ch, and Our Lady Chapel. To the south, the Amite River Diversion Canal represents a significant man-made alteration to the natural drainage of the swamp, cutting through the area near Laurel Ridge and Seles Point.