1963 Map of Gretna Green

About this map

Big Choctaw Bayou and its numerous oxbow lakes dominate this Tensas Parish landscape in the early 1960s, illustrating the complex hydrology of the Mississippi Delta region. The map documents a rural society structured around water and agriculture, from the Wavertree Plantation in the south to smaller clusters like Shady Grove and Gretna Green. A notable concentration of community landmarks, such as New China Grove Ch, Monclova Ch, and the Mayflower Cem, highlights the importance of local congregations in this era. The terrain is marked by prehistoric features including several Indian Mounds, while the 20th-century economy is visible through numerous Drill Holes and Oil Wells scattered across the fields. The presence of the St Peter Canal and Van Buren road suggests the evolving transportation network designed to navigate this wetland-rich environment.