Loading map...

1890 Map of Louisiana

Name: 1890 Topographic Map of Louisiana
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1890
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1890

About this map

The Mississippi River defines the northeastern boundary of this 1890 survey, where the river-port of Louisiana sits as a vital transit hub for the region's expanding rail network. From here, the St. Louis and Hannibal Railroad cuts southward through the county, crossing the Chicago and Alton Railroad at Bowling Green. This intersection of rail lines supported a network of agricultural and trading outposts like Curryville, Ashley, and Cyrene.

Deeply etched drainages, including the Cuivre River and its numerous branches like Lead Creek and Mill Creek, dominate the interior landscape. The map reveals a high density of small rural settlements such as New Harmony, Millwood, and Prairieville that were established before the consolidation of later towns. Small stops like McCunes Station illustrate the importance of localized rail access for the scattered farmsteads of the late nineteenth century.