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2021 Map of Nichols Knob

Name: 2021 Topographic Map of Nichols Knob
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2021
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2021

About this map

Topaz sits at a bend in the North Fork River, serving as a central point of settlement in this part of Douglas County. The landscape is defined by the winding river and a network of named springs, including Topaz Spring, Mint Spring, and Hoots Spring, which emerge from the base of the many hollows that cut through the terrain. Portions of the Mark Twain National Forest cover the ridges and valleys, illustrating the enduring woodland character of the Ozark Plateau.

Family names are preserved in the topography through labels such as Smith Ridge, Sam Wood Hollow, and Jim Coble Hollow. Genealogists and local historians can locate the Bittick Cem north of the river, while prominent landmarks like Nichols Knob and Round Valley Knob provide orientation across the ridges. The intricate naming of smaller valleys, from Hell Hole Hollow to Punchout Hollow, reflects a deeply localized geography known to those who worked and lived along these waters.