1972 Map of Kirwin Reservoir

About this map

Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge dominates the landscape of Phillips County in the early 1970s, where the North Fork Solomon River is impounded to form the Kirwin Reservoir. The town of Kirwin sits just north of the dam, serving as a gateway to the recreational and conservation lands that surround the water. Significant land-use shifts are visible through the Old Railroad Grade and the Missouri Pacific line, indicating the changing transportation priorities of the region. Family historians can locate several burial sites, including Kirwin Cem and Hillsdale Cem, while the map also details the specific shoreline topography with features like Crappie Point and Bluegill Point. The presence of a Landing Strip and Refuge Headquarters reflects the managed nature of this environment, which balances local settlement with expansive wildlife protection and water management along Deer Creek and Bow Creek.