2013 Map of Tar Heel

About this map

Tar Heel sits at a historic crossing point along the Cape Fear River, where the Tar Heel Landing once served as a vital link between the waterway and the surrounding agricultural hinterland. The landscape is defined by its sophisticated drainage network, featuring the long Big Swamp Canal and Allen Pocket Canal, which transformed the natural lowlands of Huckleberry Swamp and White Oak Swamp into productive land. This era shows the continued importance of water management in the region, evidenced by the series of reservoirs and mill sites like Smiths Millpond and Hester Millpond. Small rural settlements such as Mayville Crossing and Smiths anchor the road network, while the East Robeson Lookout Tower stands as a sentinel over the extensive timber and wetlands. The inclusion of the Rocking A Farm Airport highlights the persistence of large family-owned agricultural tracts in this part of Bladen County during the early 21st century.