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1948 Map of Beech Grove

Name: 1948 Topographic Map of Beech Grove
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1948
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1948

About this map

The rail-oriented town of Beech Grove and the expanding southeastern suburbs of Indianapolis define the character of this 1946 survey. A massive yard for the Indianapolis Union RR dominates the landscape near Beech Grove, illustrating the heavy industrial and logistical importance of the area shortly after the war. Surrounding these hubs are several smaller communities, including Southport, New Bethel, and Five Points, which retain a distinctly semi-rural character marked by country churches like Henninger Ch and local education centers such as Lowell Sch.

Transitioning south across the Marion Co Johnson Co line, the landscape opens into the townships of Franklin and Pleasant. Waterways like Buck Creek and Big Run wind through the terrain, while landmarks such as Bunker Hill and the Lake Shore Country Club provide notable topographical and social reference points. The map meticulously records the grid of early transit, from Shelbyville Road to the residential streets of Indianapolis south of Bethel Park.