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1985 Map of Burlington

Name: 1985 Topographic Map of Burlington
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1985
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1985

About this map

The Mississippi River and the Des Moines River define the Tri-State region captured in this mid-1980s survey, where Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri meet. Burlington, the principal urban hub, sits atop the Flint Hills, overlooking a complex network of islands and sloughs such as Peel Island and O'Connell Island. West of the city, the sprawling Iowa Army Ammunition Plant occupies a significant footprint between Middletown and the Skunk River. The landscape is a mix of intensive agriculture and managed conservation, anchored by Shimek State Forest and several riverfront state parks.

Transportation patterns are dominated by the Burlington Northern Railroad and the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, which intersect the region's river-driven economy. From the educational grounds of Iowa Wesleyan College in Mount Pleasant to the riverfront at Keokuk, the map details the infrastructure of a mature Midwestern corridor. Smaller communities like Bonaparte and Bentonsport along the Des Moines River reflect the historical river-valley settlement patterns that preceded modern highway development.