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1987 Map of Van Buren

Name: 1987 Topographic Map of Van Buren
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1988
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1988

About this map

The Arkansas River serves as the dominant geographic feature of this late 1980s survey, separating the urban centers of Van Buren and Fort Smith. The landscape is a study in mid-century development, where traditional agricultural settlements like Wright Town and Catcher sit in close proximity to modern infrastructure. Heavy industrial and transit signatures are evident in the complex interchange near Smeltzer and the presence of the Twin City Airport.

Genealogists will find a wealth of local markers, including numerous small burial grounds such as Antioch Cem, Stevenson Cem, and the Old Concord Cem. The transition from rural to suburban is marked by a high density of community institutions, from Westark Com College to local spiritual hubs like Amazing Grace Chapel and Victory Temple. The northern periphery remains punctuated by traditional landmarks such as Frog Bayou and Louemma Lake.