1963 Map of New Orleans

About this map

The Mississippi River and a labyrinth of bayous define this expansive coastal landscape in the mid-20th century. Major hubs like New Iberia, Morgan City, and Houma serve as anchors for the region's unique wetland economy, where industry and transportation are inextricably linked to the water. The Southern Pacific and Texas and Pacific railroads parallel the natural curves of Bayou Teche and other waterways, connecting agricultural and maritime settlements such as Jeanerette and Thibodaux. South of the inhabited marshes, the map reveals the complex shoreline of Atchafalaya Bay and the protective barrier of the Isles Dernieres. Conservation efforts are evident at the Russell Sage Wildlife Refuge and Game Preserve, while the extensive parish boundaries illustrate the administrative complexity of managing these shifting, water-dominant territories during an era of significant coastal activity.