1967 Map of Ponca

About this map

The Buffalo National River carves a deep path through the heart of the Ozarks, shown here during a transitional era for the region's conservation and land use. The map details the early footprints of Lost Valley State Park and the scattered mountain settlements of Ponca, Compton, and Beechwood. This 1960s survey provides a detailed look at the rural social geography of the limestone plateau, documenting numerous small churches and burial sites like Mountain Springs Ch and the Mount Sherman Cem. Local industry is reflected in several mines and a gravel pit along the riverbanks, while the intricate system of hollows—including Adda Creek and Gossett Hollow—reveals the complex drainage patterns that feed the Buffalo River. Landmark features like the Compton Lookout Tower and Bee Bluff offer specific points of orientation within this densely wooded terrain.