1958 Map of Petit Bois Island

About this map

Petit Bois Island stretches across the maritime boundary of Mississippi and Alabama as a narrow, low-lying barrier during the late 1950s. This survey, compiled from hydrography and planetable work, reveals the island's character before natural erosion and storms significantly altered its footprint. The map documents the relationship between the shallow Mississippi Sound to the north and the open Gulf of Mexico to the south. Navigation and infrastructure are noted through the presence of a light and the Intracoastal Waterway Project Depth 12 Feet, which skirts the northern shore. Marine safety and utility zones are further defined by a designated Cable Area and various piles near the western tip, providing a snapshot of coastal management and the shifting sands of the outer sound during this era.