1962 Map of Hector

About this map

Illinois Bayou and its numerous tributaries, including Dare Creek and Clear Creek, carve through the complex topography of the Ozark National Forest in this early 1960s study of Pope County. The settlement of Hector serves as a central hub, surrounded by a network of rural communities such as Appleton, Caglesville, and the aptly named Buttermilk. The landscape is defined by its significant ridges, most notably White Oak Mountain and Buck Mountain, which historically influenced the placement of roads and homesteads. Local history is deeply embedded in the map's details, from the Peterman Lookout Tower standing watch over the timberlands to the numerous country churches and family cemeteries that dot the township lines. The transition between rugged mountain forest and the smaller farm plots in the southern townships reveals the agricultural and timber-based economy of mid-century Arkansas.