1962 Map of Akron

About this map

Akron and the surrounding townships of Henry, Franklin, and Newcastle define this section of northern Indiana in the early 1960s. The landscape is heavily shaped by agricultural infrastructure, evidenced by an extensive network of drainage projects such as the Eaton Busenburg Ditch, Leininger Ditch, and Curtis Ditch. These waterways weave between glacial features like Town Lake, Keesey Lake, and Barr Lake, illustrating the transition from natural wetlands to managed farmland. The Erie-Lackawanna railroad cuts a diagonal path through the region, connecting the small communities of Athens and Akron. Local life is anchored by traditional landmarks, including Olive Bethel Ch, Bethlehem Ch, and the Ioof Cem. The presence of an Old Railroad Grade near Beaver Dam reveals the shifting patterns of transportation as the steam era gave way to modern thoroughfares like 800 South Road.