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1904 Map of Siloam Springs

Name: 1904 Topographic Map of Siloam Springs
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1920
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1920

About this map

The Indian Territory-Arkansas borderland comes to life in this survey, showcasing a landscape defined by its sprawling prairie systems and the deep hollows of the Illinois River watershed. Siloam Springs anchors the eastern edge, serving as a hub where the Kansas City Southern railway meets the spring-fed waters of Sager Creek. To the west, the transition into the Cherokee Nation is marked by a network of vanished prairie settlements like Ulm, Leach, and Zena, reflecting the agricultural character of Elkhorn Prairie and Long Prairie before larger-scale development transformed the region.

Industrial and spiritual centers of the late 19th century are meticulously recorded, from the St. Louis and San Francisco R. R. line near Cincinnati to isolated landmarks like the Baptist Bushyhead Mt. church. Topographical details reveal the many small watercourses, such as Spavinaw Creek and Beaty Creek, which carved the rugged timbered terrain between the open grassland expanses. This map provides a clear look at the early township structures and the original placements of remote outposts like Shoaps Store and Chloeta.