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1966 Map of New Orleans

Name: 1966 Topographic Map of New Orleans
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1966
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1966

About this map

New Orleans and the complex deltaic network of southeastern Louisiana are captured here during a period of significant mid-century industrial activity. The landscape is defined by the winding course of the Mississippi River, flanked by settlements like Gretna, Harvey, and Westwego that form the core of the metropolitan area's western bank. Further south, the map reveals the intricate water systems of the bayou country, where Houma and Thibodaux serve as central hubs connected by the Intracoastal Waterway and the Southern Pacific RR.

Coastal geography is dominated by expansive wetlands and bays, including Atchafalaya Bay and Terrebonne Bay, while the Eugene Island Lighthouse marks a vital point for maritime navigation. The mapping of numerous oil and gas fields throughout the marshlands and offshore in the Gulf of Mexico underscores the era's energy-driven economy, contrasting with protected areas such as the Shell Keys National Wildlife Refuge and Marsh Island.