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1939 Map of Opelousas

Name: 1939 Topographic Map of Opelousas
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1954
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1954

About this map

Opelousas serves as the bustling commercial hub of St. Landry Parish in this pre-war survey, anchoring a landscape where the plantation economy meets emerging industry. The Ville Platte Oil Field at the northern edge marks a significant shift in land use, while established landmarks like the Wartell Plantation reflect the area's agricultural roots. The region is heavily defined by its intricate network of bayous, with Bayou Cocodrie and Bayou Boeuf carving through the terrain, necessitating major crossings like Orbian Bridge and Guillory Bridge.

Railroad connectivity is dense, featuring the Texas & Pacific, Missouri Pacific, and Southern Pacific lines intersecting near the town center. Rural life is meticulously documented through numerous small settlements and community centers such as Grand Prairie, Belair Cove, and Gradney Island. The map is particularly valuable for genealogists, showing precisely located parish institutions like St Bridget Ch & Cem and St Ann Ch & Cem, alongside various neighborhood schools including J R Fontenot Sch.