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1935 Map of Laplace

Name: 1935 Topographic Map of Laplace
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1935
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1935

About this map

The Bonnet Carre Spillway dominates this mid-1930s landscape, illustrating the massive flood-control infrastructure designed to protect New Orleans by diverting Mississippi River waters into Lake Pontchartrain. The map captures a transition from traditional riverfront agrarian life to modern industrial and transportation networks. Older agrarian patterns are evident at Glen Dale Plantation and Trinity Plantation, while newer industrial hubs like Norco and Sellers emerge along the rail lines.

Transport is defined by a dense corridor of infrastructure, including the Illinois Central Railroad and the Airline Highway, which slice through the swampy terrain. Small communities like Frenier on the lakefront and Lucy on the west bank of the river are meticulously documented. The inclusion of the Hymelia crevasse site and the network of canals, such as Pecan Tree Canal, provide essential context for understanding the hydraulic history of St John the Baptist Parish.