1928 Map of Meramec Spring

About this map

St James and the surrounding Ozark plateau are defined by a network of springs, deep hollows, and early industrial sites in this survey from the 1920s. The landscape is dotted with a remarkably high density of rural schoolhouses, including Flat Grove School, Zion Hill School, and Heide School, reflecting the dispersed settlement patterns of Phelps County at the time. The Meramec River and Dry Fork provide the primary drainage, with notable river crossings such as Smallwood Ford and Dean Ford serving as vital transit points before modern bridge infrastructure was fully established.