1955 Map of Sweet Lake

About this map

Sweet Lake and the coastal marshlands of Cameron Parish dominate this mid-century landscape, where human settlement clings to the narrow east-west elevations of the Front Ridge and Oak Grove Ridge. These ridges support the community centers of Creole and Oak Grove, connected by a network of schools and churches including Creole High Sch, Cameron High Sch, and Ebenezer Ch. The map illustrates a transitional period for the Gulf coast economy, where the industrial presence of the Sweet Lake Oil Field and numerous pipelines contrast with the traditional reliance on the waterways. Transport is facilitated by the Intracoastal Waterway and the Creole Ferry, while much of the western portion is dedicated to the Sabine National Wildlife Refuge. The detailed mapping of various "cheniers" or ridges like Pumpkin Ridge and Little Cheniere Ridge reveals the historical importance of these high grounds for habitation in an otherwise saturated environment.