1955 Map of Lake Charles SW

About this map

Petit Bois Plateau dominates the central terrain of this mid-century survey, marking the transition between the coastal prairies and the marshy lowlands of south Louisiana. The landscape is defined by its complex hydrology, where Coulée Hippolyte and Black Bayou meander toward the northern reaches of Big Lake. This era shows a community structured around rural parish life and emerging energy extraction, evidenced by the South Lake Charles Gas Field and a scattered network of local landmarks. Settlers in this region relied on vital infrastructure like the Sweet Lake Ferry and the Government Ditch to navigate the wet terrain. Local social foundations are preserved in the locations of St Elizabeth Ch, St Marys Ch, and rural educational outposts such as Prairieland Sch and Grand Lake Sch.