2018 Map of Bonaparte

About this map

The Des Moines River winds through the heart of Van Buren County, anchoring the historic villages of Bonaparte and Bentonsport. This 2018 survey reveals a landscape where modern road networks like Co Hwy J40 and River Rd intersect with nineteenth-century settlement patterns. The abundance of small burial grounds, such as New Lexington Cem, Vernon Cem, and Bradford Cem, offers a detailed map for genealogists tracing early families in the region. Tributaries including Bear Creek, Little Indian Cr, and Reeds Cr carve through the terrain, while Indian Lake marks the southern reaches of the quadrangle. The map captures the enduring footprint of river-based communities and the rural cemeteries that serve as a testament to the area's deep family roots.