1953 Map of Verona

About this map

The Missouri River cuts a deep path through the Chouteau County landscape, anchoring a geography defined by its steep coulees and the infrastructure of the Great Northern railroad. The settlement of Verona is marked by its prominent grain Elevator, a testament to the local agricultural economy, while the small community of Virgelle sits further south along the tracks. This survey, conducted as part of the Department of the Interior program for the development of the Missouri River Basin, documents the transition from early river navigation to rail-and-road dominance. Significant historical sites include Coal Banks Landing (Site) and the Coal Banks Bridge, which provided essential crossings and river access. The terrain is deeply eroded, with drainage features like Coal Banks Coulee, Little Sandy Creek, and Jackson Coulee carving into the high plains surrounding the river valley.