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1966 Map of Merigold

Name: 1966 Topographic Map of Merigold
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1967
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1967

About this map

The Illinois Central corridor forms the spine of this Mississippi Delta landscape, connecting the agricultural hubs of Mound Bayou, Merigold, Renova, and the northern outskirts of Cleveland. This mid-1960s survey illustrates a rural economy transitioning from traditional farming toward specialized aquaculture, evidenced by the numerous Fish Farm operations scattered between Mound Bayou (the watercourse) and Lead Bayou. The terrain is punctuated by significant cultural sites, including a prominent Indian Mound and several cemeteries that serve as vital genealogical markers for the region, such as Lampton Chapel Cem and Indian Mounds Cem.

Water management is central to the area's development, seen in the large geometric Reservoir and its accompanying Aqueduct and Pumping Station. The winding Big Sunflower River defines the eastern boundary between Bolivar and Sunflower Counties, its wooded banks contrasting with the cleared plantation lands. Local infrastructure of the era is well-represented, from the Merigold Airport to the Drive-in Theater near the southern edge of the sheet.