1923 Map of Clarksdale

About this map

The Platte River meanders through Northwest Missouri, anchoring a landscape defined by its river forks and early 20th-century rail connections. At the time of this 1923 survey, the region was densely punctuated by small rural school districts and community churches, reflecting the intensive settlement patterns before school consolidation. Notable crossings like the Wire Bridge and Van Meyer Bridge provided essential links over the river, while the Burlington and Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific railroads facilitated the movement of goods from agricultural hubs like Clarksdale and Helena. Genealogists will find a wealth of specific local landmarks, from the Bowen Cemetery to numerous neighborhood schools like Fountain Blue School and High Prairie Chapel. This map captures the intricate social geography of Andrew, Buchanan, and De Kalb counties during a period when small-scale farming and rail transport dominated the local economy.