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1939 Map of Poplar Bluff

Name: 1939 Topographic Map of Poplar Bluff
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1949
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1949

About this map

The Lower Black River flows through a landscape defined by transformative engineering and early rail infrastructure in this Missouri survey. The Lake Wappapello conservation pool dominates the northeast, marked by technical specifications such as the Elev. of Dam 420.0 and a spillway crest. This area illustrates the transition from river-bottom commerce to a controlled reservoir system, with a clear Head of Navigation noted on the river near Mengo.

Transportation corridors converge on the regional hub of Poplar Bluff, where the St Louis Southwestern and Missouri Pacific railroads meet. The map preserves the names of numerous small rural centers and crossroads like Hilliard, Hendrickson, and Chaonia, many of which were tied to the rail lines. Local genealogists will find an incredible density of named schools and churches, including Mt. Zion Ch, Providence Sch, and Snyder Sch, alongside family-named landmarks like Smith Farm and Collins Store.