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1939 Map of New Orleans East

Name: 1939 Topographic Map of New Orleans East
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1949
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1949

About this map

New Orleans radiates from the crescent of the Mississippi River, showcasing a dense urban grid in the years before mid-century expansion. The map detail highlights the complex drainage and navigation infrastructure required for the city's survival, including the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal and numerous pumping stations. Prominent institutional landmarks such as Dillard University, Newcomb College Tulane University, and the Fairgrounds define the interior geography, while the historic St Louis Cem and Metairie Cemetery provide significant points of interest for genealogists.

Across the river, the West Bank settlements of Algiers, Gretna, and Harvey are clearly defined, linked by ferries and the industrial presence of the U S Naval Base and several railroad lines including the Southern Pacific. The era's heavy reliance on water transport is evident in the Intracoastal Waterway and the Harvey Canal, illustrating the vital connection between the river's commerce and the surrounding parishes.