1972 Map of Latanier

About this map

The Red River dominates this landscape in Rapides Parish, creating a complex geography of oxbows and backwaters like Big Lake, Tarkill Lake, and Hog Lake. The meanders of the river define the transport and agricultural patterns of the early 1970s, with a prominent Levee system protecting low-lying fields. The Kansas City Southern railroad serves as the primary spine for settlements such as Latanier and Poland, connecting rural communities to the broader region. Small community churches and family burial grounds, including Riverview Church and Pearl Cemetery, are scattered across the alluvial plain, reflecting a deeply rooted local history. The map also captures specialized land uses of the era, from a Fish Farm to the Ruby Lookout Tower, illustrating the intersection of forestry, commerce, and rural life along the river valley.