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1951 Map of Fort Smith

Name: 1951 Topographic Map of Fort Smith
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1951
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1951

About this map

Fort Smith serves as the focal point of this mid-century survey, revealing a bustling river city defined by its position at the intersection of the Arkansas River and the Poteau River. The urban landscape is dense with civic and social landmarks, including the National Cemetery, the Peabody School, and St Boniface Church and School. The industrial and commercial character of the era is evidenced by a Sawmill near the water and a network of railways including the Missouri Pacific and the St Louis San Francisco.

Across the river and state line in Oklahoma, smaller settlements like Moffett and Roland provide a stark contrast to the developed Arkansas side. Rural life is marked by local institutions such as Bluemouse School and the Scott Church, while the northern terrain is broken by Lee Creek and its tributaries. This map captures the region when river traffic and rail transit remained central to the economy before the expansion of modern highways.