2017 Map of Parnell West

About this map

The Platte River valley defines the eastern landscape of this Nodaway County region, where the rural settlements of Gaynor, Orrsburg, and the western edge of Parnell represent the local centers of community life. This 2017 study illustrates a deeply agricultural grid of section roads like State Hwy E and Mahogany Rd that connect family landmarks and local burial grounds. Genealogists can identify key historical sites including Long Branch Cem near the Long Br reservoir, McLaughlin Cem to the east, and Wilcox Cem situated on the southern uplands. The terrain is a network of watercourses, with Honey Cr and Brushy Cr cutting through the fields toward the main river. These drainages, alongside man-made features like Wilson Lake and Schmitz Brothers Lake, highlight how water management has shaped the modern land use in this part of Missouri.