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1956 Map of Lake La Graisse

Name: 1956 Topographic Map of Lake La Graisse
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1959
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1959

About this map

Terrebonne Bay and the complex salt marshes of coastal Louisiana define this mid-century topographic study. The landscape is a fluid network of shallow basins and tidal channels, where Lake La Graisse and Lake Saint Jean Baptiste sit amidst fragmenting wetlands. The map documents the early infrastructure of the offshore industry, noting a platform, oil well, and various navigational aids like a daybeacon and multiple lights that guided vessels through these precarious waters.

Coastal geography is recorded in transition, showing the protective reach of Point Meshe and the openings of Seabreeze Pass and Pass Barre. These waterways, including Lake Jean Pierre and Bayou Jose, were essential for local navigation before significant coastal erosion altered the shoreline. The detailed hydrography reflects the area's reliance on maritime travel and the emerging energy sector during the late 1950s.