1957 Map of Meridian

About this map

Meridian serves as the primary hub of this East Central Mississippi landscape, anchoring a network of rails and roads that bridge the timberlands of the Bienville National Forest and the agricultural plains. Surveyed in the mid-1950s, the map reveals a region defined by its river systems, from the winding Pearl River in the west to the Tombigbee River drainage to the east. The Choctaw Indian Reservation stands out near Philadelphia, while smaller communities like Newton, Decatur, and Forest illustrate the rural settlement patterns of the era. The presence of the Illinois Central railroad underscores the industrial importance of timber and transport, connecting these interior towns to larger markets. Public recreation and conservation efforts are also visible at Roosevelt State Park and Clarkco State Park, highlighting the early post-war development of state-managed lands alongside the more established national forest.