1954 Map of McHenry

About this map

The De Soto National Forest dominates the terrain of south Mississippi in the mid-1950s, with the Illinois Central railroad corridor serving as the primary anchor for local settlements. Small timber and rail towns such as McHenry, Howison, and Saucier line the tracks, providing a window into the region's rural economy. A poignant reminder of earlier epidemics is found at Yellow Fever Cemetery, while the presence of the Experimental Forest Headquarters and multiple fire lookouts like the Gundlach Lookout Tower signal the era's focus on professional forest management.