2021 Map of Handy

About this map

Handy remains a central point of reference in this corner of the Mark Twain National Forest, where the terrain is defined by a dense network of hollows and ridges along the borders of Ripley, Carter, and Oregon Counties. The landscape is dotted with small, upland water sources like Spout Spring and unique geological features such as Cupola Pond and McFarland Pond. This 2021 survey reveals a territory deeply tied to its geography, where place names like Stillhouse Hollow, Cowards Hollow, and Church House Hollow suggest the historical land use and social patterns of the Ozark highlands. Genealogists can locate several local burial grounds, including Bristol Cem, Handy Cem, and Big Barren Cem, which serve as permanent markers of the families who settled this timbered country. The presence of Running Water Cr and the N Fork Little Barren Cr illustrates the complex drainage system feeding into the larger river basins of the region.