After a review of the above listed information, we have concluded that the segment of the
Lafayette - Vermilion Parish Line between Grange's Coulee and Indian Bayou should be re-
established using the map titled Map Showing Line Between Vermilion And Lafayette Parishes
As Established by Act No. 81 Of The Legislature of 1844, State of Louisiana by Bernard
Engineers, Inc. dated May 12, 1931.
The
1931 map shows the parish boundary to be defined by points A and B. The map does
not give a bearing or distance between points A and B. Point A is shown as a 3/4 " pipe,
designated as station 0+00, in the fork of Granges coulee. There is also a note on the map
that point A is the vicinity of a tree, which was recognized as being located on the Parish
line for over 50 years by a local resident. The location of the "old Spell home" designated as
approximate station 231+80, is labeled on the map as point B. The map also shows a 1 1/2 "
pipe at station 255+70 near Indian Bayou.
The
field print shows the center of Indian Bayou located at station 255+97. The work
print also shows ties to the center of local roads by stationing along the Parish boundary,
and distances to cross road intersections. The overall length of the parish boundary, shown on the work print, was verified in our field survey.
It is apparent,
from our field inspection that the land has been intensely farmed and the
bayous and coulees appear to have been dredged over the years. Aerial photography supports
this observation. State Land Office files indicated that the State Department of Public Works
has performed maintenance projects on Grange's Coulee and Indian Bayou. The pipes called
for in Grange's Coulee and Indian Bayou, as shown on the 1931 map, were not found during
our field inspection. The "old Spell home" is no longer standing. The only topographic
feature, shown on the 1931 map and work print, visible in our field inspection was the center
of the local roads.
The
apparent testimony from local resident concerning a tree, on the parish boundary,
in the vicinity of point A leads us to beleive the survey was an attempt, in 1931, to re-establish
the parish boundary in its original location. Since Bernard Engineers was furnishing maps to
both Lafayette and Vermilion Parishes, it seems that both parishes were in agreement with his
interpretation of the location of their common parish boundary.
12
CONCLUSIONS
12
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