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1952 Map of Ruddock

Name: 1952 Topographic Map of Ruddock
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1953
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1953

About this map

The narrow land bridge between Lake Maurepas and Lake Pontchartrain dominates this mid-century survey, centered on the small settlement of Ruddock. This area of St. John the Baptist Parish is defined by its complex network of waterways, including Black Bayou and Shell Bank Bayou, which weave through the low-lying wetlands. The infrastructure here is heavily tied to the transit corridor provided by the Illinois Central railroad, which runs parallel to the western shore of Lake Pontchartrain.

Evidence of local history is visible in features like the Cem near the railroad tracks and the man-made Ruddock Canal. The map captures the interface of rail transportation and the swampy terrain, showing how development in this region was constrained by the natural drainage patterns of Desair Bayou and the surrounding lakes. It provides a clear look at the landscape before major modern highway expansions altered the character of this coastal pass.