1951 Map of Afton

About this map

Afton and the surrounding townships of Union and Dodge appear as a landscape defined by small-town hubs and an extensive network of country schools and churches. The mid-century agricultural character of south-central Iowa is evident in the dense distribution of family-named burial grounds like Kivett Cem and Hamblin Cem, alongside dozens of numbered rural schoolhouses such as School No 5 and School No 7. The intersection of the Chicago Burlington and Quincy and the Chicago Great Western railroads at Talmage highlights the area's historical reliance on rail for commerce and travel. Waterways like the Thompson River and Threemile Creek wind through the terrain, with Lake Afton serving as a significant local landmark. Smaller settlements like Macksburg, Lorimor, and Thayer anchor the surrounding rural sections, each maintaining its own community identity through sites like Bethel Ch and Riverdale Sch.