1894 Map of Hot Springs

About this map

The Hot Springs area and the dense ridges of the Quachita National Forest define this 1888 survey, showcasing the landscape before the massive reservoir developments of the 20th century. While the thermal waters at the Nat Park are the primary focus in the southeast, the map extensively documents the rural communities of Garland and Montgomery counties. Small, isolated settlements like Buckville and Cedar Glades appear along the banks of the Ouachita River, while to the north, the Fourche La Fave River carves through the Fourche Mountains near Rover. The intricate drainage patterns of Blakely Creek and Glazypeau Creek highlight the complex terrain that governed early transport and settlement. This map preserves the locations of early mountain communities and river crossings like Wards Crossing that were later altered by land use changes and inundation.