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1953 Map of Greenwood

Name: 1953 Topographic Map of Greenwood
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1986
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1986

About this map

The Mississippi River and its labyrinthine tributaries dominate this mid-century landscape, defining a region where water and rail dictate the pattern of human settlement. From the Yazoo River in the east to the Arkansas River in the west, the map details a complex network of bayous, chutes, and oxbow lakes like Lake Chicot and Lake Washington. These waterways are flanked by significant conservation areas, including the White River National Wildlife Refuge and Yazoo National Wildlife Refuge.

Regional commerce centers such as Greenwood, Indianola, and McGehee serve as hubs for the extensive rail network. The tracks of the Missouri Pacific RR, Illinois Central RR, and Columbus & Greenville RR crisscross the Delta and the Arkansas lowlands, connecting smaller agricultural depots like Dermott, Belzoni, and Tillar. The map also captures the intricate system of islands and cutoffs along the state line, such as Montgomery Island and Moon Chute, reflecting the dynamic nature of the river valley before modern channelization was fully realized.