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1959 Map of Altoona

Name: 1959 Topographic Map of Altoona
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1977
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1977

About this map

The Verdigris River winds south through Wilson County, defining the agricultural and industrial landscape of late 1950s Kansas. The town of Altoona serves as a local hub, situated near the confluence of Cedar Creek and Little Cedar Creek. The presence of numerous Oil Wells and several Quarries scattered across the township boundaries of Guilford and Cedar indicates a diversified local economy where natural resource extraction met traditional prairie farming.

Transportation infrastructure is centered on the Missouri Pacific railroad, which parallels the river and connects the smaller settlements of Benedict and Guilford. Local history is preserved in landmarks such as Harmony Sch, the Cem north of Altoona, and recreational sites like Camp Cauble on Crooked Creek. Engineering details are highlighted by the Guilford Bridge and Barnhill Bridge, which provided essential river crossings for the rural road network during this era of post-war development.