1950 Map of Shell Knob

About this map

The James River and Flat Creek converge in the rugged Missouri hills, carving deep bends through the terrain of Shell Knob and Alpine long before modern lake development changed the valley floors. This 1950 revision, based on surveys by F.W. Hughes and W.S. Gehres, captures an era of rural density where small schoolhouses and fords defined local geography. Notable landmarks like the Schreiner Ferry across the White River and the Woolly Creek Ford illustrate a reliance on river-level crossings for travel between settlements such as Cape Fair and Viola. Genealogists will find a high concentration of community anchors, including Liberty Church and nearly a dozen rural schools like Cedar Mound, Pineview, and Victory. The map also identifies natural landmarks including the Natural Bridge and the distinct elevation of Pilot Knob.