1944 Map of Benton

About this map

Benton serves as the focal point of this Saline County landscape, where the confluence of the North Fork Saline River and the Alum Fork Saline River dictates the local geography. The map reveals an area defined by its mineral wealth and institutional presence, most notably at the Bauxite Mines to the east and the sprawling grounds of the State Hospital near Haskell. This 1940s survey captures the region's transition from a rural river-valley economy to an industrial one, connected by the Missouri Pacific and Bauxite & Northern railroads. Numerous small rural centers like Congo and Tatumville are documented alongside a high density of local landmarks, including Grape Chapel and Kentucky Sch. Fords across the forks of the Saline River, such as Nelson Ford and Williams Ford, indicate where early overland travel relied on natural river crossings before modern bridge infrastructure became dominant.