Old Maps

By Ed Crabtree
©2001

         I just can’t help myself, I find maps especially old maps intriguing. Although I am not a collector or student of cartography, I just enjoy looking at and perhaps pondering the implications that an old map might have had on those that depended on such for guidance in their travels.

      In olden times seafaring captains such as Columbus had at their disposal primitive maps unlike those of today that feature all sorts of navigational aids and detailed drawings of submerged hazards. These ancient maps had only rudimentary details of hazardous coastlines, rocky reefs, and shoals. References to safe harbors not only included those bays and inlets that might provide shelter from storms, but references what the unsuspecting Captain might expect from the local natives. But all areas, including inland regions that remained unexplored, featured drawings of monsters and denizens as well as unfriendly indigenous people that were certain to attack and overwhelm those souls foolhardy enough to deviate from the safety of the known world into those vast dark regions.

     In the days that preceded the universal epiphany of society, that the world was not flat, there were representations of giant waterfalls at the edge of the known world and it was thought that any ship venturing into these unexplored waters would surely sail off the precipice at the edge of the Earth never to be seen again. Actually, these old maps, although inaccurate, were beautiful works of art. Keep in mind that modern printing and reproduction techniques did not exist and each map was drawn by hand, the artist using a preexisting map as a reference and then adding new detail to the reproduction. Information gathered from the notes and journals provided by those explorers who returned safely from the vast unknown was then added to the maps and charts to create updated versions.

     Call me a hopeless romantic if you will but think about it for a moment, those intrepid souls who explored the unknown regions of our planet were multitalented people. Recording devices that we take for granted today, such as still and video cameras, had not yet been invented, with which they might have photographed or taped the flora and fauna or natural geological features. Explorers of yesteryear did not possess tape recorders therefore they were required to take extensive notes in their journals detailing the sights and sounds in both the written word and in drawings. Some of these people were extremely gifted as writers and artists. Not to mention brave enough to venture forth into the unknown without prior knowledge of what they might encounter or even if they would pay for their curiosity with their lives.

     Audubon's art work depicting plants and animals that he encountered in his travels was so accurate and beautiful that his work remains to this day a standard for artists to aspire too. Lewis and Clark’s historical journals offer a glimpse into what one could have expected in those days should they choose to venture forth into the vast area known as the Louisiana Purchase. Schoolcraft's journals paint us a picture of the Ozarks as they appeared nearly 200 years ago. All of these men have made wonderful contributions to our knowledge of the world as it was in those days.

     In today's modern world our maps are the culmination of years of ground level research coupled with data gathered by aerial photography and satellites in orbit that turn their electronic eyes towards the surface of the planet and then make use of all sorts of technologies to provide highly detailed and accurate representations of the natural contours, as well as those changes to the Earth made by mankind.

     Necessity being the mother of invention, a good part of this technology was developed by the military. As late as the early twentieth century, maps were still crude in the respect of providing actual data regarding the terrain that one might encounter. Many maps of towns and cities more closely resembled those photographs and posters that are so popular today that offers a bird’s eye view of a cities’ skyline rather than a physical layout of the streets and alleyways. I can only imagine the frustration felt by a military officer trying to plan his campaign offensive with materials that offered little if any information on what he might expect in the way of obstacles, manmade or natural.

     After looking at one of those early maps depicting our cities, towns, or villages, you can imagine the artist climbing to the summit of a high promontory overlooking the town and erecting an easel and drawing a picture of the vista before him. Carefully recording the perspective of the lines formed by the edges of the streets as they converged in the distance. Obviously, those early artists or would be cartographers took great pains to produce what amounted to a “photograph” of the skyline of the city.

     Maps of rural areas oftentimes featured thumbnail drawings depicting unusual or interesting place names, like Devil’s Elbow or other similarly odd names. Some maps represented early roads as sweeping arcs indicating that a general route with many close parallel routes linked two villages. Bear in mind that in those days there were few areas that had specific easements for the old roads. So when the roads became impassible during wet weather, the teamsters not limited to a defined road would simply create a new route by blazing a new trail a few feet or a few yards parallel to the existing road.

     Today maps come in all sizes and shapes. From traditional road maps too highly detailed aerial surveys. One of the maps most treasured by those of us that are history buffs or into the study genealogy are topographic maps. These remarkable documents show tremendous detail such as springs, cemeteries, caves, ponds, and other features that aid in the location of historic sites or old homesteads.

     With a United States Geological Survey topographic map the student of history can find the hills from which Civil War commanders looked down upon the field of battle in the valley below or positioned their artillery on in order to rain cannon fire on the opposing army below. The genealogy buff can find the location of springs or old cemeteries that are mentioned in family histories. Many of these maps were made prior to the impoundment of our rivers and streams and those early renditions can be used to illustrate the locations of landmarks that today are submerged under water. Whatever the case may be these extraordinary maps will give those who study them a unique feel of the land and a greater sense of place.

     Here at the Wilderness Road of the Ozarks, we have a collection of topographical maps that Jim Barrett, the president of our association, purchased and pieced together into one large map. Now keep in mind that a topographical map is about the size of a common road map and you will begin to understand just how big this collage of maps is. We’re talking about a map that is big enough to carpet a small room.

     If you are familiar with the graphical images used to represent geographical features, this map will give you a "picture" of the Ozarks similar to what you might see from an aircraft flying several miles above our hill country. I recently took time to spread this "magic carpet" out in my living room floor and indulged myself with a "ride" over the Ozarks.

     From my "magic carpet" I could look down and view the Wilderness Road in all it’s glory from end to end. From Springfield to Berryville and Harrison I could see all the cities, towns and villages in this part of the Ozarks, as well as all the ghost towns of the Ozarks, such as Reno, Eau de Vie, and numerous others that are no longer with us. Caves, springs, cemeteries, rail roads, hills, ponds, valleys, farms, forests, creeks and rivers along the Wilderness Road and its brethren routes were all below my vantage point high above these venerable old hills. With the "magic" of a topographic map I could even "see" beneath the waters of Table Rock Lake, and view the land where men such as Joe Philibert once farmed and the elevation of Joe Bald mountain that stands in silent guard over that part of the lake where the James meets the White River. The "magic" of a Topographic map can enable you to "see" all of the above and so much more.

     To order a Topographic map of an area you are interested in, contact the United States Geological Survey at http://mcmcweb.er.usgs.gov/topomaps/ or check with some of the commercial suppliers of such maps on the web such as http://www.delorme.com. You can even find collections of these maps in some libraries or for sale at retail stores that cater to outdoor enthusiasts. Springfield Blueprint carries a very large selection of Ozarks and Missouri USGS topographic maps for sale to the public.

     In today's world of highly accurate data, and satellites scanning every square foot of the Earth, sometimes even modern maps have errors. The most current issue of one such road map shows modern day highway 160 as still following the path of the Old Wilderness Road, and erroneously refers to Reeds Spring Junction as Stutts. Of course, those of us here in the Ozarks that are familiar with Stone County know that Reeds Spring Junction has not been referred to as Stutts for some time.

     Maps are interesting and of great historical significance. For example, I have an old Atlas showing the highway system of the Eastern United States, circa the 1950's, that even shows the Ferry routes from Miami Florida to Havana Cuba! Think about that for a moment, fifty years ago you could have jumped in the family car and drove all the way from the Ozarks to Havana. Personally I am not old enough to remember the time when Cuba was not under the control of a Communist regime, so can you imagine how surprised I was to learn that one time there was such a Ferry service between the US and Cuba?

     The next time you see a map, take a moment to study it. You might just experience the calling that led those adventurers of old to explore what lies just beyond the horizon.