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1939 Map of Watalula

Name: 1939 Topographic Map of Watalula
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1949
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1949

About this map

The Old Wire Road cuts through the southern hills of Franklin County, marking a historic transportation corridor south of the Ozark National Forest. This 1930s landscape is defined by the winding Mulberry River, where several traditional river crossings like Milton Ford, Ham Ford, and Kings Ford indicate a reliance on seasonal water levels before modern bridge infrastructure dominated the region.

Settlement patterns are deeply tied to the terrain, with small communities and essential social centers such as Watalula and Cravens serving the surrounding farmsteads. Local genealogy is well-supported by numerous family-named landmarks and institutions, including the Shepherd Cem, Brewer Cem, and several rural education sites like Oak Ridge School and Middle Ridge School. To the southeast, a Coal Mine near Sutherland Crossroads points to the diverse extraction and agricultural economy of the era.