1947 Map of Gorham

About this map

The Big Muddy River meanders through the heart of this landscape, carving a series of dramatic loops including Horseshoe Bend, Mill Bend, and Cripps Bend. The terrain is defined by the sharp contrast between the flat Oakwood Bottoms and the prominent elevations of Fountain Bluff and Walker Hill. This 1947 survey shows the intersection of the Illinois Central Railroad and the Missouri Pacific Railroad at Gorham, a vital rail junction of the era. To the east, the Shawnee National Forest encompasses the ridge-and-hollow topography where the Hickory Ridge Lookout Tower once stood. Small communities like Sand Ridge and Grand Tower anchor the river economy, while rural infrastructure is represented by the Hickory Ridge School and several family burial grounds, such as Hudson Cem and Henson Cem.