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2015 Map of Nichols Knob

Name: 2015 Topographic Map of Nichols Knob
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2015
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2015

About this map

The North Fork River carves a deep, winding path through this portion of Douglas County, defining the settlement patterns and geographic character of the region. Local life centers on traditional river crossings and springs, notably the settlement of Topaz near Topaz Spring and the historic fords at Osborn Crossing and Hale Crossing. The landscape is a complex network of ridges and hollows, many bearing the names of early residents, such as Sam Wood Hollow and Jim Coble Hollow.

Significant landmarks like Nichols Knob and Round Valley Knob provide natural orientation within the Mark Twain National Forest. The map documents a rural Ozark landscape where narrow roads like State HWY E and various county routes follow the contours of the land, connecting isolated points like Bittick Cemetery and Brushy Mill Hollow. The abundance of named hollows—including Hell Hole Hollow and Punchout Hollow—reflects a localized geography shaped by generational presence and the specific topography of the watershed.