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1958 Map of Butler West

Name: 1958 Topographic Map of Butler West
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1959
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1959

About this map

Agricultural life in eastern Indiana is defined by a dense network of water management features, such as Matson Ditch and Haverstock Ditch, which crisscross the townships of Franklin, Smithfield, Grant, and Wilmington. The city of Butler serves as the primary eastern hub, positioned at the intersection of the New York Central railroad and a significant highway corridor. The landscape is dotted with smaller rural landmarks that were central to the community, including Franklin Center Sch and Norris Chapel.

The presence of an Old Railroad Grade and numerous family-named cemeteries like Rude Cem and Lutz Cem provides a clear view of the area's development over time. These drainage systems, including Donnell Ditch and Hoodelmier Ditch, reveal the extensive effort to transform this terrain for productive farming. This 1958 survey captures the region just as modern infrastructure like a major Pipeline was being integrated into the traditional rural fabric.