1955 Map of Mitchell Key

About this map

Mitchell Key Light stands as a primary navigational aid in this coastal stretch of St. Bernard Parish, guiding maritime traffic through the open waters of Chandeleur Sound. The area is defined by a complex network of marshy islands and shallow bays, reflecting the precarious land-water balance of the Louisiana delta. Large inlets such as Cranetown Bay and Drum Bay are separated by narrow landforms like Mitchell Island and the smaller Holmes Islands. The presence of features like Live Oak Bayou and Redfish Bend illustrates a landscape where tidal flows and shifting sedimentation dictate the local geography. This survey provides a precise record of the shoreline before decades of coastal erosion and subsidence significantly altered these outer reaches, making it a critical reference for understanding the historical extent of the Louisiana marshlands.