1953 Map of Western Isles Dernieres

About this map

Isles Dernieres stretch across this coastal landscape, serving as a critical barrier between the Gulf of Mexico and the interior waters of Terrebonne Parish. This mid-century coastal survey captures the fragile geometry of the barrier islands before decades of erosion and storm activity further reshaped the shoreline. The western reach is anchored by Raccoon Point and Coon Point, with the narrow inlets of Coupe Colin and Grand Pass des Ilettes segmenting the land. While largely an environment of marsh and sand, early industrial interests appear in the form of a solitary Oil Well located in the shallows of Caillou Bay. This map provides a precise record of the topography and hydrography as they stood in 1953, reflecting the state of these shifting islands just as the offshore oil industry began its expansion into the Louisiana gulf.