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1953 Map of West Delta

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

USGS Topo · Published 1953

About this map

The Mississippi River bifurcates the Louisiana wetlands as it approaches the Gulf, creating the intricate network of waterways and marshlands characteristic of Plaquemines Parish in the mid-20th century. At Head of Passes, the river splits into major outlets like Southwest Pass and Main Pass, providing the essential navigation routes for the maritime economy. Pilottown stands as a critical outpost for river pilots navigating these treacherous shifting channels.

Industrial activity is evident at the Venice Oil Field and the Old Quarantine Sta, while large portions of the landscape are dedicated to conservation, including the Delta National Wildlife Refuge and the Tern Islands Reservation Bird Sanctuary. The map documents a landscape defined by names like Bob Taylors Pond and Jaquines Island, illustrating the complex interaction between the river's silt and the encroaching sea before modern coastal erosion significantly altered these shorelines.