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1894 Map of Jefferson City

Name: 1894 Topographic Map of Jefferson City
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1894
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1894

About this map

Jefferson City serves as the focal point for this late 19th-century survey, situated along the southern banks of the Missouri River. The landscape is defined by the significant intersection of river traffic and the Missouri Pacific Railroad, which follows the river's winding course. To the north, Columbia appears as a growing hub served by the W. St. Louis and Pacific RR. branch, while the eastern section of the map shows the influence of the Chicago and Alton Railroad passing through Guthrie and New Bloomfield.

This era reveals a topography dominated by creek drainage systems like Bonne Femme Creek and Cedar Creek, which carved the rugged hills surrounding the river valley. The map documents numerous small riverside and railroad settlements including Claysville, Cedar City, and Osage City at the confluence of the Osage and Missouri Rivers. These locations illustrate a transitional period when rail transport began to compete with traditional river landings for regional dominance.