1986 Map of Memphis West

About this map

Crowleys Ridge rises above the alluvial plains of the Mississippi Delta in this 1980s landscape, providing a distinct geological divide between the western Arkansas lowlands and the riverfront. The map shows the dense transit corridors of Interstate 40 and Interstate 55 converging at West Memphis, a regional hub defined by its proximity to the Tennessee state line and the industrial activity on Presidents Island. Beyond the urban centers, the terrain is a complex network of drainage canals like Ditch No 6 and Ditch No 20, which reflect the extensive land reclamation required for agriculture in the Arkansas Delta. Protected lands such as Wapanocca National Wildlife Refuge and Village Creek State Park preserve pockets of natural bottomland and upland forest amidst a grid of rural settlements including Parkin, Earle, and Forrest City.