1980 Map of Rolla

About this map

Rolla serves as the focal point of this 1980 orthophotomap, showing the town's expanding footprint against the wooded terrain of central Missouri. The imagery, captured by the U. S. Geological Survey and the Soil Conservation Service, provides a clear view of the urban grid and its surrounding agricultural land. To the west, the settlement of Doolittle sits along the major highway corridor that bisects the landscape, while Northwye marks the northern junction. The southern portion of the quadrangle is defined by the winding course of Little Piney Creek, which cuts through the more heavily forested and dissected hills. By combining aerial photography with traditional land lines from a 1963 survey, this map captures the mid-century transition of the region from rural farmland to a more integrated transportation and residential hub.