1971 Map of Tates Bluff

About this map

Tates Bluff overlooks the convergence of the Little Missouri River and the Ouachita River in the early 1970s, a landscape defined by the intricate meanders of these two major waterways. This area of South Central Arkansas marks the meeting point of Clark, Dallas, and Ouachita counties, where numerous small settlements like Vaden and Kansas are centered around community landmarks. The map shows a heavy reliance on the natural topography for social organization, with many family and community cemeteries such as Easley Cem, Vaden Cem, and McGill Cem scattered through the lowlands. The southern portion of the quadrangle includes the northern reaches of Poison Springs State Forest, while the riverbanks are dotted with numerous Gravel Pit operations. The presence of churches like Providence Ch and Union Ch suggests a sparsely populated but established rural network connected by winding creek beds like Terre Noire Creek.