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1954 Map of Kisatchie

Name: 1954 Topographic Map of Kisatchie
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1963
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1963

About this map

The Kisatchie National Forest dominates this mid-century landscape, where the dense timberlands of Natchitoches and Vernon Parishes meet the expanding military footprint of the Fort Polk Military Reservation. The map captures a transition in land use as the northern reaches of the Artillery Range and Peason Ridge overlap with older rural settlements. The drainage patterns of the Calcasieu River and Kisatchie Bayou define the topography, supporting isolated communities like Kurthwood, Simpson, and Kisatchie.

Genealogists will find a concentration of burial sites throughout the forest and along parish lines, including Old Bellwood Cem, Kisatchie Union Cem, and Robinson Cem. The presence of several lookout towers and the Kisatchie Guard Station reflects the era's focus on forest management and fire prevention in the piney woods. Rural spiritual life is anchored by landmarks such as Spring Hill Church and Silver Creek Church, which remained focal points for these timber and military-adjacent communities.