1939 Map of Fordland

About this map

Fordland and Seymour anchor the northern corridor of this 1930s landscape, where the St Louis - San Francisco RR cuts a straight path across the headwaters of the regional river systems. The map captures a transition between the uplands of East Dallas and the creek-cut terrain of East Benton. This era was defined by a dense network of local education and faith, evidenced by numerous rural centers like Cave Spring Sch, Silver Shade Sch, and Mt Olive Ch. To the south, the terrain becomes more varied around Keyger Mtn and the waters of Finley Creek. Smaller communities such as Diggins, Bruner, and Elkhead are shown as active hubs, while landmarks like Finley Falls and Murphy Pond suggest the importance of local water sources. Genealogists can locate family burial grounds including the Winningham Cem and Ragsdale Cem, which served the scattered farming townships during this pre-war period.