1951 Map of Grand Gosier Islands

About this map

Grand Gosier Island and its surrounding waters define this coastal survey of the Plaquemines Parish coastline. Much of the land area is designated as the Breton National Wildlife Refuge, reflecting its status as a critical sanctuary for migratory birds and marine life. The map illustrates the fragile geography of the Chandeleur Islands chain where it meets the open Gulf of Mexico. Navigation and maritime history are highlighted through the documentation of submerged hazards and changing seafloors, including Errol Shoal, Myth Shoal, and extensive Shallow Areas. Compiled from aerial photography and planetable surveys in the early 1950s, the map serves as a vital record of the barrier island's configuration before decades of storm erosion and coastal change. It captures the boundary between the relatively protected Breton Sound and the high-energy environment of the outer gulf.