Since two major fires destroyed many early Montgomery County records, the 1878 Illustrated Historical Atlas published by Edwards Brothers of Missouri is an especially valuable resource. In addition to maps of the towns and open land (by township and range with then-current property owners' names); it includes an index, a list of patrons, business references and illustrations.

 

Along with land patent records from the Bureau of Land Management, this Atlas assists researchers in determining early land ownership. 

 

Reprints are available for sale from MCHS. See page "Store."