1949 Map of Hammock Lake

About this map

Oil wells clustered in the open waters of West Cote Blanche Bay signal the industrial reach of the mid-century Louisiana coast. This coastal landscape is defined by the intricate network of tidal waterways such as Cypremort Bayou and Shark Bayou which separate the mainland marsh from the expansive waters of Vermilion Bay. Along the southern margin, the Marsh Island State Game Refuge begins to emerge, highlighting the region's importance for wildlife conservation even as petroleum exploration expanded. The map details the fragile transition from land to sea at landmarks like Crawford Point and Dead Cypress Point, illustrating the shifting geography of the St. Mary Parish and Iberia Parish borderlands during a period of significant offshore development.