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1942 Map of Bethesda

Name: 1942 Topographic Map of Bethesda
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1945
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1945

About this map

The White River carves a deep valley along the western boundary of this Independence County landscape, where the Missouri Pacific railroad follows the riverbank past Biltmore Switch and Walls Ferry. In the rugged interior, industrial extraction is evident at the Martin Mines and Mcbride Mines, highlighting the area's mineral-rich geology. This mid-century survey documents a dense network of rural infrastructure, including many neighborhood schools such as O'Neal Sch and Chinquapin Sch, which once served localized farming communities.

Agricultural research takes center stage at the University of Arkansas Experimental Farm, while small crossroads like Bethesda and Cushman serve as the primary social anchors. The map records several houses of worship, including Campground Ch and Pilgrims Rest Ch, alongside the Gill Cem, offering specific points of interest for genealogists tracing families in the Union and Washington townships. To the south, Barnhearts Ferry marks an important river crossing point before the modern road network fully transformed regional travel.