1983 Map of Ville Platte

About this map

Ville Platte serves as the focal point of this Cajun heartland survey, where the grid of the city meets the winding natural hydrology of Bayou des Cannes and Choctaw Bayou. The local economy is defined by a distinct mix of petroleum extraction at the Ville Platte Oil and Gas Field and expansive water management, evidenced by the vast Millers Lake in the northwest. Genealogy and local history are particularly well-represented through numerous burial grounds such as Te Mamou Cem, Pine Point Cem, and the St Johns Mem Garden (Cem). The Missouri Pacific Railroad cuts a diagonal path through the landscape, reinforcing the town's role as a regional hub. From the Courthouse at the center of town to the outlying settlement of Point Blue, the map documents a community deeply integrated with its prairie and bayou environment.