1955 Map of Lafayette

About this map

The University of Southwestern Louisiana anchors the eastern edge of this mid-century survey, which documents the urban expansion of Lafayette toward the west and south. The Southern Pacific railroad line serves as a primary transit corridor, passing through Scott and connecting the regional economy to the wider rail network. To the south, the Vermilion River meanders through the landscape, flanked by established family names and landmarks like Whittington Cemetery and the Long Plantation School. This period marks a transition in the local landscape, where institutional landmarks like St Marys Orphanage and the Southwestern Training School sit near emerging suburban developments. The map provides a detailed view of the infrastructure of the era, from the Filtration Plant and Power Plant near the municipal recreation area to the numerous churches and schools that formed the social core of the community.