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1938 Map of West Plains

Name: 1938 Topographic Map of West Plains
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1954
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1954

About this map

West Plains serves as the focal point of this Ozark plateau survey, appearing as a developed rail hub in the late 1930s. The St Louis San Francisco railroad cuts through the landscape, following the path of Howell Creek as it winds through the prominent Howell Valley. This era shows a dense network of rural infrastructure, where nearly every section of land is served by a local schoolhouse, including Galloway Sch, Sylvan Sch, and Orchard Grove Sch.

Social and civic life is anchored by landmarks like American Legion Field and the County Home. The presence of the Radle Gem mine and numerous bridges, such as BR 930, indicates a landscape defined by local extraction and a well-traversed valley floor. The map captures the transition from isolated rural homesteads to a more centralized town center, while spiritual and community centers like Howell Valley Ch and Smith Chapel remain prominent in the surrounding hills.