1947 Map of Fort Smith

About this map

The Arkansas River serves as the primary artery of this borderlands map, where the urban expansion of Fort Smith meets the Oklahoma state line. The city's grid is dense with institutional landmarks, from the National Cemetery near the riverbank to local hubs like St Boniface Church and School and Twin City Hospital. A complex rail network defines the mid-century economy, with the Missouri Pacific and Kansas City Southern lines converging at key transit points like Greenwood Junction. Beyond the city center, rural communities and landmarks such as Bluemount School and the riverfront West Fort Smith reveal the era's settlement pattern before the later growth of the interstate era. The transition from industrial infrastructure, including a Sawmill and various silos, to recreational spaces like Oak Park illustrates a city evolving around its historic river crossing.