1960 Map of Carthage

About this map

Carthage sits along the Big Blue River in this early 1960s survey of northwestern Rush County, serving as a focal point for the region's agricultural and industrial infrastructure. The landscape is defined by its drainage networks, where the river meets Ripley Creek and Carthage Creek, and by the presence of a Gaging Sta and Pumping Sta near the town center. The map reveals a highly structured rural society, with New York Central and Baltimore and Ohio rail lines cutting through the townships of Posey, Jackson, and Center. Local social centers are anchored by landmarks such as Walnut Ridge Ch and Township Sch. Numerous Gas Wells scattered across the fields highlight the area's subterranean resources, while the network of named ditches like Fearless Ditch and New House Ditch illustrates the extensive efforts to manage the tillable land.