1939 Map of Onward

About this map

Deer Creek winds through the heart of this landscape, anchoring a series of small riverside settlements such as Valley Park and Hardee during the late 1930s. This survey, revised by the Mississippi River Commission, illustrates the complex hydrology of the Delta prior to modern large-scale drainage projects. The presence of multiple Indian Mound sites reflects the deep human history along these waterways, while the Yazoo and Mississippi Valley railroad line dictates the placement of towns like Smedes and Kelso. To the south, the terrain shifts abruptly as the Yazoo River meets the Haynes Bluff escarpment, a significant natural landmark. The map documents an era of river-based infrastructure, featuring numerous levees and the influential reach of the Little Sunflower River through Sharkey and Issaquena counties.