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1956 Map of Cataract

Name: 1956 Topographic Map of Cataract
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1972
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1972

About this map

Lower Cataract Falls and Upper Cataract Falls define the central drainage of this Owen County landscape, where Mill Creek meets the expansive Cataract Lake. The map captures a mid-century rural environment characterized by the dense woodlands of the Owen-Putnam State Forest and the Richard Lieber State Park. Small agrarian communities and crossroads like Cunot, Cataract, and Atkinsonville are connected by a network of winding roads and the Monon Line railroad crossing through Taylor and Jennings townships.

Local history is deeply etched into the terrain through several family and community landmarks. Genealogists will find numerous burial sites, including Buckskin Ch Cem and Spangler Cem, alongside social centers like Bethany Ch and the Township Sch. The presence of a Fish Hatchery and a Lookout Tower reflects the mid-century focus on conservation and forest management within the state-protected lands.