1953 Map of Greenwood

About this map

The Mississippi River and its labyrinthine drainage system define this mid-century portrait of the Delta, where the Arkansas River and White River converge in a landscape of massive islands and cutoffs like Island No 82 and Lake Chicot. This era shows the region's agricultural and industrial infrastructure in full force, anchored by major hubs at Greenville and Greenwood. The dominance of the plantation economy and river trade is evident in the dense network of the Illinois Central Railroad and the Columbus & Greenville Railway, which connect smaller settlements such as Mound Bayou and Indianola. Local civic life is centered on landmarks like the Leflore County Courthouse, while the presence of Greenville Air Force Base reflects the Cold War military footprint. From the Yazoo National Wildlife Refuge to the oxbows of the Yazoo River, the map captures a transition point in Southern geography before modern interstate development altered these traditional river-and-rail corridors.