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1954 Map of New Madrid

Name: 1954 Topographic Map of New Madrid
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1955
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1955

About this map

New Madrid sits at the apex of a dramatic bend in the Mississippi River, serving as a focal point for this mid-1950s survey of southeastern Missouri. The landscape is defined by the rigid geometry of drainage ditches and section lines, a testament to the intensive land reclamation of the Bootheel region. Major rail corridors including the St Louis Southwestern Ry and the Missouri Pacific RR connect agricultural hubs like Lilbourn, Marston, and Kewanee.

Genealogical details are abundant, particularly in the rural areas surrounding Sikes Ridge. Numerous small landmarks such as the Rosenwald School, Kavanaugh Sch, and Hunter Cem appear alongside several churches like Hurricane Ridge Ch. Across the river, the map details the unique geography of the Kentucky Point and Watson Point peninsulas, where the shifting river channel created complex land boundaries between Missouri and Kentucky.