1961 Map of Hales Point

About this map

The Mississippi River defines this landscape in the early 1960s, its meandering course creating a complex system of islands, bends, and sloughs across the Tennessee-Arkansas state line. The Needham Cut-off remains a prominent hydrological marker, bypassed by the modern channel but still shaping the local terrain near Wrights Point. On the Tennessee side, the town of Ripley serves as a regional hub, connected to smaller communities like Arp and Edith by a network of winding roads. This area is characterized by its deep connection to the river economy and wetlands, evidenced by the Moss Island Waterfowl Management Area and numerous family-named landmarks. Genealogists will find a wealth of local-history markers, including Henning Grove Ch & Sch, St Luke Cem, and Ashport Ch, which highlight the scattered rural settlements and social centers of Lauderdale County during this era.