2021 Map of Short Bend

About this map

The Meramec River winds through this section of the Ozarks, defining a landscape of deep hollows and creek valleys in northern Dent County. The small community of Short Bend sits near the river's northern reach on this sheet, while the crossing at Dent Ford highlights an era of river-bottom travel and local commerce. Family history is preserved across numerous rural burial grounds, including the Fraser Cem, Pryor Cem, and Maledy Cem, which are tucked away near the hillsides and river bends. Much of the southeastern portion of the map is dominated by the Mark Twain National Forest, where the terrain becomes increasingly complex with named features like Beasley Hollow and Capps Hollow. This 2021 survey illustrates a modern view of a region that maintains its traditional settlement patterns, with isolated homesteads and springs like Gamblin Spring and Twin Springs scattered among the timber and ridge roads.