1984 Map of Paragould

About this map

Crowleys Ridge rises above the alluvial plains of the Mississippi Embayment, serving as the geological backbone for this 1980s landscape across Northeast Arkansas and Southeast Missouri. The elevated terrain provides a natural corridor for settlements like Paragould, Piggott, and Rector, contrasting sharply with the densely ditched and drained lowlands to the east. Extensive water management is evident through systems such as Ditch No 1, Ditch No 2, and the Main Ditch, which transformed the former wetlands of the St. Francis Basin into productive acreage. Transportation networks are anchored by the St Louis Southwestern RR and Missouri Pacific RR, connecting agricultural hubs like Corning and Walnut Ridge. The map also captures significant conservation and recreation areas, including the Little Island Area Wildlife Management Area and Crowleys Ridge State Park, preserving fragments of the region's original environment amidst its engineered drainage projects.