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1958 Map of Burlington

Name: 1958 Topographic Map of Burlington
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1968
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1968

About this map

The Mississippi River defines this tri-state region, serving as the central artery between Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri during the mid-20th century. The landscape is characterized by the confluence of major waterways, including the Des Moines River and the Skunk River, which have historically shaped the settlement patterns of river towns like Keokuk, Fort Madison, and Burlington. Inland, the massive footprint of the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant stands out between Danville and Middletown, reflecting the area's strategic industrial importance.

Transportation networks are heavily represented by the heavy rail lines of the Chicago Burlington and Quincy and the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe, which connect the agricultural hubs of Mount Pleasant and Macomb. Conservation efforts are visible along the river bottomlands, with the Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge and Sanganois Conservation Area protecting the vital wetlands of the Illinois and Mississippi flyways.