1940 Map of Smyrna

About this map

Illinois Bayou and its numerous forks dominate this rural landscape in the Arkansas Ozarks, surveyed just before the 1940s. The settlement pattern is defined by high-elevation ridges and deep hollows like Bear Hollow and Wolf Den Hollow, where small communities such as Smyrna and Nogo served as local hubs. This era shows a high density of rural schoolhouses, including Union Hill Sch, Zion Hill Sch, and Atkins Sch, which often served as the primary social centers for remote townships. Genealogists can identify family sites through named landmarks like Brogden Hollow and Millsaps Hollow, or via the Old Smyrna Cem and Hughes Cem. The presence of a fire tower on Raspberry Mtn highlights the early forest management efforts in the region, while the network of unpaved roads and the Motorway suggest a transition toward motorized access in these difficult-to-reach areas of Pope County and Van Buren County.