1949 Map of Coal Valley

South of the river, the terrain rises into the dissected uplands of Coal Valley and Colona townships. Local industry is evident at the Black Hawk Mine and Gem Mine, while the rural social fabric is preserved through a dense network of country schools such as Kingdom Sch, County Training Sch, and Mt Pleasant Sch. The presence of the Metropolitan Airport and the Chicago Burlington and Quincy railroad highlights the transportation infrastructure connecting these small mining and farming communities to the larger Quad Cities region.