Loading map...

1954 Map of Big Piney

Name: 1954 Topographic Map of Big Piney
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1971
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1971

About this map

The Big Piney River carves a winding path through the Ozark landscape of Pulaski and Phelps counties, defining the boundary between military and natural lands in the mid-1950s. To the northwest, the Fort Leonard Wood Military Reservation covers a significant portion of the terrain, while the Mark Twain National Forest dominates the southern reaches. This era shows a community deeply connected to the river and ridges, with family-named landmarks like Ramsey Cem, Watts Cem, and Bradford Cem providing valuable points of reference for genealogists.

Local life centers around small settlements such as Big Piney and Duke, supported by institutions like Hopewell Church and the Democrat School. The map documents numerous river features essential to the period, including Ross Bridge, Stone Mill Spring, and several named crossings like Ramsey Ford. Strategic points such as the Piney Lookout Tower and various caves, including Ryden Cave, highlight the specific topography and land use before subsequent regional developments.