1957 Map of Moss Bluff

About this map

The Calcasieu River winds through a landscape of intricate bayous and oxbows, defining the boundaries between several southwest Louisiana parishes. Near Moss Bluff, the waterway fragments into features like Joe Cooley Bay and the Marsh Bayou Cutoff, reflecting a complex deltaic environment. The Southern Pacific railroad serves as a primary north-south artery, passing through settlements such as Gillis and Gaytine. Local industry is evidenced by the Iowa Oil and Gas Field and numerous scattered oil wells, while the Sam Houston State Park preserves the riverfront at the confluence of the West Fork. Small rural communities like Topsy, Hecker, and Ararat are scattered across the terrain, interspersed with family-named landmarks including Lyles Cem and Kingrey Cem. This survey documents a transitional era of mid-century infrastructure, marked by the presence of an Old Railroad Grade and the Goldsmith Grade.