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1954 Map of Manchester

Name: 1954 Topographic Map of Manchester
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1959
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1959

About this map

The Meramec River winds through the southern half of this mid-century landscape, carving a deep valley that separates the Crescent Hills from the developing suburbs of St. Louis County. At this time, communities like Ballwin, Ellisville, and Manchester appear as emerging hubs along Manchester Road, while the riverside is dotted with recreation spots and smaller settlements such as Castlewood and Lincoln Beach. The presence of the St Louis Ordnance Plant and a Gravel Pit near Jedburgh reflects the era's industrial activity, contrasting with the many rural schools and cemeteries that served established families.

Local history is preserved in features like the Oak Ridge Sch (Abandoned) and numerous family and parish burial grounds, including Lewis Cem and St Johns Cem. The intricate network of creeks, such as Grand Glaize Creek and Fishpot Creek, defines the drainage patterns between the uplands of Bonhomme and the river bottoms. The map also records the layout of Times Beach before it was famously removed from the landscape, providing a critical reference for researchers of the region's complex environmental and social history.