1958 Map of De Soto NE

About this map

Joachim Creek and Plattin Creek carve deep valleys through this portion of Jefferson County, defining the settlement patterns of the early twentieth century. The industrial and transit corridor is dominated by the Missouri Pacific railroad, which links the communities of Festus, Hematite, and Plattin. This survey, compiled in part from aerial photographs taken by the U.S. Army Air Corps, captures a rural landscape where local education was still centered on decentralized landmarks like Haverstick Sch, Moore Sch, and Buckie Sch. The terrain is marked by numerous small tributaries such as Tanyard Branch and Cather Creek, while various Cem sites and the Second Sch provide essential touchpoints for genealogical research. The alignment of State Highway No 21 and the presence of a significant Pipe Line running through the northern sections illustrate the region's infrastructure as it stood before mid-century modernization.