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1955 Map of Helena

Name: 1955 Topographic Map of Helena
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1978
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1978

About this map

The Grand Prairie dominates this mid-century landscape of eastern Arkansas, revealing a region defined by its complex drainage and agricultural specialized land use. Near Stuttgart, the Arkansas State College Experimental Rice Farm marks the center of the local rice industry, surrounded by essential water management features like the Stuttgart Reservoir and the Capps Drainage Ditch. The bottomlands of the Arkansas River and White River show a different character, with the expansive White River National Wildlife Refuge protecting the dense terrain along the river's winding course.

Genealogical interest is found in the smaller settlements and community landmarks such as Old Austin Cem, Sylvania Church, and Hickory Plains Cem. The map tracks the vital rail infrastructure of the era, including the St. Louis Southwestern RR, which connected agricultural hubs like England and Altheimer to larger markets, while the St. Francis National Forest preserves the elevated terrain to the east near the Mississippi River.