1953 Map of Memphis

About this map

Crowley's Ridge rises distinctly from the surrounding alluvial lowlands of the Mississippi embayment, defining the geography of eastern Arkansas in the mid-1950s. The map illustrates a complex hydraulic landscape where the Mississippi River and St. Francis River dominate the drainage patterns, supported by engineered works like the Oak Donnick Floodway. Major regional hubs such as Jonesboro and Memphis are connected by a dense lattice of transportation infrastructure, including the St. Louis-San Francisco Ry and U.S. Highway 67. Conservation areas like Big Lake National Wildlife Refuge and Wapanocca N W R sit alongside river features like Brandywine Island, marking the intersection of the natural river system and human settlement. The placement of towns like Augusta, Newport, and Forrest City reflects the historic reliance on both rail lines and the shifting courses of the White River and its tributaries.