1953 Map of Western Isles Dernieres

About this map

Isles Dernieres stretches across this mid-century survey, illustrating the fragile barrier islands of Louisiana's Gulf Coast. Situated between Caillou Bay and the open Gulf of Mexico, the archipelago is defined by shifting sands and tidal inlets. The map details the western reaches of the chain, including Raccoon Point and Coon Point, where the low-lying terrain is punctuated by small marshy lagoons. A lone Oil Well to the north reflects the encroaching industrial interest in these offshore waters during the 1950s. The cartography provides a baseline for coastal change, marking ephemeral water passages like Coupe Colin and Grand Pass des Ilettes. This 1953 record is essential for understanding the geomorphology of the Terrebonne Parish coastline before later decades of significant erosion altered these landforms.