1949 Map of Meramec Spring

About this map

St Louis - San Francisco railroad tracks cut across the northern landscape near St James, where the Ozark terrain begins its descent toward the winding Meramec River. This mid-century survey reveals a dense network of rural infrastructure, from the industrial Bronson Mine and Benton Creek Mine to the vital crossings at Morrison Ford and Smallwood Ford. The land is dotted with family names and community anchors, including over twenty neighborhood schoolhouses like Flat Grove School and Wishon School, and historic congregations at Belview Church and Mt Pisgah Church. These details underscore the self-sufficient nature of Phelps and Dent Counties during the late 1940s. Natural landmarks such as Meramec Spring and a Natural Bridge punctuate the ridges and hollows, while settlements like Dillon, Lecoma, and De Camp serve as local hubs for the surrounding farm and timber lands.