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1888 Map of Dardanelle #2

Name: 1888 Topographic Map of Dardanelle #2
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1888
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1888

About this map

The Arkansas River carves a deep path through the landscape of the Arkansas River Valley in this late nineteenth-century survey, defining the development patterns of Johnson County. The Little Rock & Fort Smith R. R. runs parallel to the northern bank, connecting riverfront and upland settlements like Knoxville, Lamar, and the regional hub of Clarksville. These towns grew at the intersections of rail and water, while smaller interior communities like Lutherville and Blaine occupied the higher elevations of Colony Mountain and Pine Ridge.

A notable Ferry crossing south of Knoxville represents the vital river-to-rail link before modern bridges spanned the waterway. The topography reveals significant local landmarks such as Big Danger Hill and Cane Hill, which restricted movement and funneled early roads toward Piney Station. This map, based on work by the Geological Survey of Arkansas, documents the transition from river-dependent trade to a railway-oriented economy.