1968 Map of Chelsea

About this map

The Iowa River snakes through the heart of this Tama County landscape, creating a broad alluvial valley defined by complex wetlands and drainage patterns. Dominating the central terrain is the Otter Creek Marsh State Wildlife Refuge, a significant conservation area where the Otter Creek meets the river's flood plain. The town of Chelsea serves as a local hub at the intersection of the Chicago and North Western rail line and the river, while smaller settlements like Vining, Gladstone, and Helena mark the surrounding agricultural uplands. Genealogy researchers will find a high density of family-named and organizational burial sites, including IOOF Cem, St Josephs Cem, and Wilkinson Cem. The map also documents industrial and infrastructure details of the late 1960s, such as the Plague Mine, a Gaging Station on the river, and a Radio Facility near the southern boundary.