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1913 Map of Alvordton

Name: 1913 Topographic Map of Alvordton
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1913
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1913

About this map

The Michigan-Ohio boundary line cuts across this 1913 landscape, defining a region where rural agriculture and a dense network of early 20th-century railroads intersect. Major junctions such as Alvordton and West Unity serve as hubs for the Wabash RR and the Cincinnati Northern RR, showing how critical rail transport was for the local economy before the dominance of automobiles. The map detail highlights the high density of rural education and faith, with dozens of numbered schoolhouses and spiritual landmarks like the Mennonite Church near Archbold and Gray Church further north.

The topography is shaped by the winding courses of the Tiffin River and the St Joseph River, which drain the low-lying plains. Local genealogists will find value in the specific placement of named schools such as Sugar Grove School and Banner School, alongside small rail stops like Ritters and Munson that served the surrounding farmsteads. The inclusion of the Toledo and Western RR (Electric) through Fayette provides a specific look at the short-lived era of interurban electric transit.