1976 Map of West Plains SE

About this map

South Fork Spring River meanders across this orthophotoquad, showing the intricate landscape of Howell County as it appeared in the mid-1970s. This aerial perspective captures the transition from wooded ridges to the cleared agricultural patches that surround the small settlement of Lanton. Unlike traditional topographic maps, this imagery reveals the exact density of the forest cover and the precise layout of farm fields and rural homesteads during this era. The river valley serves as the primary corridor for movement and land use, with the winding watercourse dictating the placement of secondary roads and local structures. For researchers, the map provides a clear look at the rural Missouri Ozark landscape before more modern land clearing and development patterns emerged.