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1948 Map of Modoc

Name: 1948 Topographic Map of Modoc
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1951
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1951

About this map

The Mississippi River defines the southeastern boundary of this survey, where the Modoc Crevasse serves as a stark reminder of the region's historical battle with flooding. This delta landscape is crisscrossed by the Missouri Pacific railroad, which supported a string of early 20th-century settlements like Elaine, Lambrook, and Ratio. The area is notably dense with community institutions, including the Rosenwald Sch and numerous country churches such as New Jerusalem Ch & Cem and Mt Zion Ch & Cem.

Evidence of the local agrarian economy is seen in the numerous spurs and stations like Hoop Spur, Ragan Spur, and Hugo Sta. Natural drainage features like Big Creek and Beaver Bayou wind through the township lines, while the curved Old Town Lake marks an ancient meander of the great river. This map provides an essential record of Phillips County's rural social geography before significant mid-century consolidation.