1955 Map of Pointe aux Marchettes

About this map

Lake Borgne defines the western edge of this coastal marsh landscape in St. Bernard Parish, where the intricate network of the Mississippi River delta meets the open water. In the mid-1950s, this area remained an expansive wetlands environment dominated by tidal lagoons and winding bayous. The southern reach of the map is anchored by the historic Bayou La Loutre, a major waterway accompanied by the distinctive Magnolia Mound. Local nomenclature is preserved through family-named or colloquial landmarks such as Johnnys Ditch, St Malo Bayou, and the curiously named Mussolini Bayou. This survey reveals the pre-industrial character of the wetlands before later coastal erosion and modern development significantly altered the shoreline near Pte aux Marchettes. Smaller interior water bodies like Brick Lagoon and Magill Lagoon illustrate the highly fragmented nature of this amphibious terrain.