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1909 Map of Millikens Bend

Name: 1909 Topographic Map of Millikens Bend
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1909
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1909

About this map

The massive oxbow of the Mississippi River defines this landscape in Madison Parish, where the river's shifting course created a complex network of oxbow lakes and backwater bayous. Numerous agricultural estates, including Hermean Plantation, Dalkeith Plantation, and Glen Mary Plantation, occupy the rich alluvial land bounded by the levee system. The local economy and social life of the early 20th century are reflected in small hubs like Millikens Bend and Duckport, supported by neighborhood centers such as Hughes Store and Huon Store.

Religious and community landmarks are frequent across the floodplain, with Mt Zion Church, Paradise Church, and St Pauls Church serving the scattered residents. The V S and P R R cuts across the southwestern corner, providing a vital rail link through the swampy terrain. The intricate hydrology of the area is evident in the many named water bodies like Devil John Lake and Cattail Lake, which represent former channels of the river now isolated behind the levee.