Marc St. Gil, the photographer who documented "polluted Lake Charles" in the '70s

Swimming in Polluted Lake Charles. Olin-Mathieson Plant in Background 06/1972

I want to give credit to the freelance photographer Marc St. Gil (1924-1992) who worked for the EPA’s Documerica Project in the 1970s to “record the state of the environment.” His images of “polluted Lake Charles,” which I use throughout this website, are so stunning — and perfectly emblematic of the relationship between people and their ailing environment in Southwest Louisiana. You can find more of his work on Wikimedia Commons and more about the Documerica Project here, here, and here. All captions below are sourced from the original images (or so says Wikimedia Commons). The last one has nothing to do with Louisiana, but it reminds me a little bit of my old daddy, in style and substance. “HE NEVER WORKS, BUT SITS STARING AT THE RIVER ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF TOWN FROM 7 A.M. TO SUNSET.” Unlike Woodrow Wilson of Leakey, Texas, my dad (who lived out his life on the very river featured in these images) would have spent at least a few of those hours working — on microwave egg cookers, kimchi brewed under his lofty trailer, romantic pergolas, bayou olive gardens — rather than just staring. Still. Bless the Woodrow Wilsons, Byron Nelsons and Marc St. Gils who have passed through this world.

Chemical Plants on Shore Are Considered Prime Source of Pollution, 06/1972

Olin Mathieson Chemical Plant on Far Side of Lake 07/1972

The Polluted Lake Charles Which Has a Dangerously High Level of Mercury. Olin-Mathieson Plant in Background 06/1972

Olin-Mathieson Plant Emits Sulphur Fumes 06/1972

Picnic Area on Beach Along the Calcasieu River Olin-Mathieson Plant in Background 06/1972

Sunrise over the Olin-Mathieson Plant on the Calcasieu River 06/1972

*WOODROW WILSON, ONE OF LEAKEY'S LOCAL CHARACTERS, IN HIS PICKUP. HE NEVER WORKS, BUT SITS STARING AT THE RIVER ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF TOWN FROM 7 A.M. TO SUNSET*