1950 Map of Barkman

About this map

The Red River creates a massive, looping boundary between Arkansas and Texas, defining a landscape of oxbow lakes and complex hydraulic history. This survey, based on 1950 topography with revisions through the mid-1970s, reveals a riverbed prone to migration, leaving behind features like Roseborough Lake, Scott Lake, and Smith Lake in the floodplain. The southern portion of the map is dominated by the small communities of Barkman and Wamba, where local life centered around rural landmarks such as Mt Zion Ch and Everett Ch. The intricate drainage system is further modified by the Diversion Canal and natural waterways like Bayou McKinney, illustrating the ongoing efforts to manage the water and sediment of the Little River and Red River basins. Genealogists may find value in the location of Clear Lake Cem and several community churches that served these river-border settlements.