1939 Map of Big Island

About this map

The Mississippi River and Arkansas River converge in this complex riverine landscape, where the shifting currents of the delta have carved a labyrinth of oxbows and islands. At the heart of the map lies Big Island, a massive tract of alluvial land bounded by the White River and the main channel. The river-and-rail economy of the 1930s is evident in the numerous landings such as Hopedale Ldg, Riverton Ldg, and Napoleon Ldg, many of which served as vital collection points for cotton and timber before the expansion of modern highways.