1954 Map of Slagle

About this map

The Fort Polk Military Reservation dominates the landscape of Vernon Parish in the mid-1950s, highlighting the massive military footprint established in the region. Within the Kisatchie National Forest, the installation includes significant infrastructure such as an airfield and the residential clusters of North Fort Polk. Despite the military presence, traditional rural life remains visible through numerous country churches like Union Grove Church and Walnut Hill Church. The terrain is defined by complex water systems, including the Calcasieu River and Castor Creek, which have historically shaped local settlement patterns. A dismantled railroad winding through the northern portion of the map indicates the transition away from early timber-hauling rail lines. For genealogists, the map is a vital resource, preserving the locations of family-associated burial grounds such as Smart Cem and Glass Window Cem.