1984 Map of Hayes

About this map

The low-lying coastal prairies and wetlands of Calcasieu Parish are meticulously detailed in this mid-1980s provisional study. The settlement of Hayes and the nearby community of Bell City serve as the primary hubs in a landscape defined by an extensive system of levees and man-made waterways. The Bell City Drainage Canal and Morgan Canal cut through the terrain, illustrating the significant engineering required to manage water in this region. This interplay between land and water is further emphasized by the southern boundary of the map, which includes a portion of the Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge. Industrial activity is noted at the Illinois Plant, while the presence of locations like Wild Island, Pine Island, and Oak Island highlights the slightly elevated features that rise above the surrounding Willow Marsh. The map also captures the complex parish boundaries where Calcasieu, Jefferson Davis, and Cameron parishes meet.