1938 Map of Altoona

About this map

The Altoona region of Wilson County is defined by its early 20th-century agrarian density, where a remarkably tight network of country schoolhouses and small-town junctions reflects a pre-modern rural infrastructure. Located at a bend in the Verdigris River, Altoona serves as a hub alongside neighbors like Buffalo, Benedict, and Vilas. The landscape is etched with the presence of the Missouri Pacific and Santa Fe railroads, which facilitated the local economy of this era. Genealogists will find significant value in the numerous small educational and religious centers, such as Ninety Nine Sch, Sorghum Valley Sch, and High Prairie Ch. Topographically, the area is punctuated by distinct high points like Long Mound and Three Mounds, while the Barnhill Bridge provides a specific reference point for crossing the river valley.