Andrew W. Hahn Releases New Mapping Missouri Book
The 164-page collection uses 40 historical and geological maps to document the evolution of Missouri from prehistoric times.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Geography
Live Poll
Should rural counties consolidate local governments to increase administrative efficiency?
Author Andrew W. Hahn, executive director of the Campbell House Museum, has released the book Mapping Missouri. The work traces the history of the state using a curated selection of 40 maps covering eras from its prehistoric past to the present.
Why it matters
This publication provides a visual narrative of the development of Missouri, which encompasses 114 counties. By highlighting specific cartographic snapshots, the book illustrates the structural and geological changes that have shaped the state over centuries.
Mapping Missouri spans 164 pages and contains 40 distinct maps to represent state history. The research accounts for geographic shifts ranging from the arrival of explorers in 1672 to modern tornadic activity tracked through 2025.
The players
Andrew W. Hahn
He is the author of Mapping Missouri and serves as the executive director of the Campbell House Museum.
Reedy Press
This publishing company is responsible for the release of the mapping series and plans to expand to a half-dozen more cities next year.
Campbell House Museum
Located in St. Louis, this historic site is where author Andrew W. Hahn serves as executive director.
The details
The book features diverse cartographic perspectives, including a dedicated map of tornadic activity spanning from 1950 to 2025 and representations of landmarks like Gateway Arch National Park. It serves as a follow-up to the publisher's success with the Mapping St. Louis series, which is currently in its fourth print run.
Timeline
1672: Jesuits explored the territory of Missouri.
1830s: Missouri was settled.
1878: George F. Cram created a railroad and township map.
2020: United States Census conducted.
2025: A tornado occurred in St. Louis.
The Big Picture
The release of this work follows the trend established by Reedy Press's city-based mapping book series, which has seen commercial success with editions like Mapping St. Louis. Expanding from urban documentation to state-level analysis shifts the focus toward broader geological and historical trends.
Readers can use the book to visualize the historical and geological development of their local communities, including those with populations as small as 2,000 residents. The inclusion of long-term data like tornadic activity provides a resource for understanding regional environmental risks.
The takeaway
This collection serves as a visual record for residents interested in the long-term settlement patterns of their state. By studying the progression of these 40 maps, individuals can gain a better understanding of the factors that influenced the development of their specific county.
What happens next
Reedy Press has announced plans to release books featuring a half-dozen additional cities in the coming year.
Further reading
For more on the state's cartographic history, visit the Geography section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by St. Louis Magazine.
Live Poll
Should rural counties consolidate local governments to increase administrative efficiency?
