1935 Map of Lake Athanasio

About this map

Lake Athanasio and the surrounding marshlands of St. Bernard Parish are captured here in high detail during the mid-1930s. This survey, compiled from early Air Corps aerial photography, reveals the intricate labyrinth of waterways where the Chandeleur Sound meets the interior wetlands. The landscape is defined by its numerous small bays and passes, including the oddly named Seven Dollar Bay and the nearby Seven Dollar Bayou. The southern extent of the sheet marks the border with Plaquemines Parish near Mozambique Pt, showing the coastal boundary as it existed before decades of shoreline recession. Local mariners and historians will find interest in the specific configurations of features like Pass Fernandea and St. Helena Bay, which reflect the hydrology of the Louisiana coast prior to modern larger-scale engineering projects.