Page images
PDF
EPUB
[graphic]

MISSOURI GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

VIEW IN LAFAYETTE COUNTY.

[blocks in formation]

AREA AND LOCATION-RAILWAYS-TOWNS-INDUSTRIES.

The Higginsville sheet is in Lafayette county and is named
from the town of Higginsville, located in the southwestern
portion of the area.

AREA AND LOCATION.

The area represented by the sheet is a quadrilateral of 15' extent in latitude and longitude, embracing an area of 231.67 square miles. It is included between the lines 39° 00' and 39° 15′ of latitude, and the lines 93° 30′ and 93° 45' of longitude west of Greenwich. Its position in the State may be termed western-central, inasmuch as it is only 50 miles east of the western boundary of the State, at Kansas City, and 100 and 180 miles from the northern and southern boundaries respectively. It lies principally south of the Missouri river, that stream traversing the area close to its northern boundary. It covers nearly the entire half of Lafayette county, the eastern border being less than a mile west of the Lafayette-Saline county line, and the southern border being about five miles north of the Lafayette-Johnson county line. North of the Missouri river some twenty miles of Ray county are also included. The location with reference to the county lines is shown on the following diagram :

[blocks in formation]

FIG. 1. Outline map showing the position of the Higginsville sheet in Lafayette county.

RAILWAYS.

Three railway lines traverse the sheet, namely: the Chicago & Alton railway, centrally from east to west, through Alma, Corder and Higginsville; the Lexington branch of the Missouri Pacific, across the southwestern corner, through Aullville, Higginsville and Page City; and the Jefferson City & Boonville branch of the Missouri Pacific, across the northern portion of the sheet, along the south bank of the Missouri river. The Chicago & Alton is part of the main line between Chicago and Kansas City; and a very large amount of freight passes over it annually. The other lines are branch roads of the main line, and, though large quantities of coal, grain and other produce are shipped over them, they are not so import. ant lines of traffic as is the Chicago & Alton.

TOWNS.

The towns and villages within the area of the Higginsville sheet, in the order of their importance are:

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

Higginsville is a trade center, which, like all other towns of this country, owes its existence primarily to the rich agricultural lands which surround it. Its prominence is largely due to the fact that it is at the junction of two railway lines. The coal mines in the immediate vicinity give employment to a large number of its citizens. Another prominent industry is the drain-tile and brick manufacture. The town contains a large flouring mill, a grain elevator, a carriage factory and warehouses for fruit storage.

Corder is largely supported by the country trade. One coal mine is operated here, which is also a large contributor to the business of the place. One flouring mill and one grain elevator are here.

*From figures of the Eleventh United States Census.

« PreviousContinue »