1940 Map of Weldon Spring

About this map

Howell Island dominates the central bend of the Missouri River in this 1940 survey, illustrating the complex riverine landscape of St. Charles and St. Louis Counties before mid-century development. The Daniel Boone Bridge serves as a critical connection over the water, linking the township of Dardenne to the southern bluffs. Settlement patterns follow the high ground and historic corridors like Boones Lick Road, with small communities such as Cottleville, Weldon Spring, and the riverside hamlet of Hamburg serving as local hubs. This era shows a transition in transportation, where the tracks of the Chicago Rock Island and Pacific railroad parallel the river valley, while a network of country schools like Bonhomme Sch and Independence Sch remain scattered across the agricultural uplands. To the south, the early boundaries of Babler State Park and a CCC Camp signify the period's investment in public recreation and conservation.