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1959 Map of Center

Name: 1959 Topographic Map of Center
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1973
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1973

About this map

The Salt River meanders through the heart of Ralls County, creating a deeply dissected landscape defined by numerous hollows and timbered ridges in the late 1950s. This survey, verified by State Geologist Thomas R. Beveridge, reveals a rural economy organized around small settlements and essential community hubs. The village of Center serves as a primary local center, while smaller communities like Spalding and Cincinnati anchor the surrounding townships of Saline, Clay, and Center.

For genealogists and local historians, the map is a detailed record of mid-century rural infrastructure. It identifies several country churches, such as St Peters Ch and St Pauls Ch, alongside rural schools including Sidney Sch and Linwood Sch. Family-named landmarks and resting places like Greathouse Cem and Norton Cem are meticulously plotted, providing geographic context for early residents. River crossings and drainage patterns are well-defined by features like Asher Bridge and the winding Griffin Hollow.