1958 Map of Irondale

About this map

Big River flows through the heart of the eastern Ozarks, carving a path between the prominent heights of Hughes Mountain and Round Mountain. In the late 1950s, the landscape here was defined by a mix of lead mining history and rural community life. The Missouri Pacific railroad connects the primary settlements of Irondale and Bismarck, passing through the rugged Clark National Forest near the St. Francois County line. Evidence of the region’s mineral wealth is scattered across the terrain, from the Irondale Mine to the Hayden Creek Mine and Evans Mine. Local social and religious centers are grounded in landmarks like Hickory Grove Ch and the Camp Irondale, while family histories are preserved at Wallen Cem, Davis Cem, and Big River Cem. Small tributaries including Wallen Creek and Hopewell Creek drain into the main river valley, illustrating the drainage patterns that shaped local settlement.