1984 Map of Gueydan

About this map

Gueydan and its surrounding prairie landscapes are defined by an intricate network of irrigation and transport in the early 1980s. The region is a hydrologic crossroads where the Mermentau River and Bayou Queue de Tortue wind through the coastal plain, marking the boundaries between Acadia, Vermilion, and Jefferson Davis parishes. The landscape is characterized by a high density of agricultural features, specifically numerous siphons, flumes, and pumps that supported the local rice-growing economy. Smaller settlements like Riceville and Morse are connected by a grid of rural roads and canals, while the presence of the Boatner Landing Strip and another unnamed Landing Strip suggests the importance of crop dusting and local aviation. Distinctive terrain features such as Moon Island and Cypress Point break the regularity of the canal-cut fields, showing the persistence of natural landmarks amidst a heavily engineered environment.