1953 Map of Greenwood

About this map

The Mississippi River defines the heart of this mid-century landscape, winding through the fertile Delta region where complex meanders like Tarpley Cut-off and Ashbrook Point reveal the shifting hydrology of the state border. This era marks a peak of industrial and agricultural transport, with the Illinois Central Railroad and Columbus and Greenville Railway crisscrossing the alluvial plains. Central hubs like Greenwood and Greenville serve as anchors for a network of smaller plantation and river towns, including Arkansas City and Rosedale. To the west, Lake Chicot and Lake Washington sit as prominent oxbow remnants of the river's former path. The map also identifies significant public and specialized land uses, from the Greenville Air Force Base to the State Penal Farm and the Yazoo National Wildlife Refuge, illustrating the diverse development of the Lower Mississippi Valley.