1963 Map of New Orleans

About this map

Houma and the surrounding coastal parishes are shown here in the early 1970s, at a time when the interplay between the petroleum industry and the complex bayou network was heavily defined by modern infrastructure. The Southern Pacific railroad and Highway 90 anchor a string of settlements from New Iberia through Morgan City to Thibodaux, reflecting the historical development along the natural levees. The vast Basin Floodway and the Atchafalaya River dominate the central landscape, highlighting the massive engineering required to manage the delta's water. Off the coast, the map documents the intricate geography of the barrier islands and marshes, including Marsh Island and the Isles Dernieres, while the US Naval Air Station near the Mississippi River illustrates the strategic importance of the region during the Cold War era.