1963 Map of New Orleans

About this map

Mississippi River distributaries and the vast coastal wetlands of south Louisiana dominate this topographic and bathymetric study, which reveals the intricate drainage patterns of the mid-20th century. The transition from the sugar-cane-producing high ground along Bayou Teche near New Iberia to the marshy expanses of Marsh Island illustrates the region's historical reliance on elevated natural levees for settlement. In the east, the urban expansion around New Orleans and Marrero is clearly visible, while the southern coastal reaches are defined by a complex network of bays, including Timbalier Bay and Terrebonne Bay. This era shows the developed inland waterways around Morgan City and Houma, alongside the protected waters of the Shell Keys National Wildlife Refuge, capturing the landscape shortly after the expansion of offshore industry and regional drainage improvements.