1971 Map of Vivian South

About this map

Oil and gas fields dominate the Caddo Parish landscape in the early 1970s, where extraction infrastructure intertwines with rural community life. The Kansas City Southern railroad serves as the primary spine of the region, connecting the larger settlement of Vivian to smaller points like Superior, Shoreline, and Oil City. The density of fossil fuel activity is juxtaposed against a surprisingly robust network of religious and educational institutions, including North Caddo High Sch and numerous country churches such as Mt Gilead Ch and Union Chapel. To the south and west, the map transitions into the complex wetlands of the Caddo-Pine Island region. Here, the waters of Caddo Lake and James Bayou define the terrain, while the Old Channel Black Bayou reflects the shifting hydrology of the area, creating a landscape where industry, swamp, and small-town residency coexist.