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2022 Map of Cresco SE

Name: 2022 Topographic Map of Cresco SE
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2022
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2022

About this map

The Howard County Courthouse stands as a central landmark in Cresco, marking the urban anchor of this agricultural landscape in northeast Iowa. The terrain is defined by the winding course of the Turkey River and its numerous tributaries, including Chithaks Cr, Otter Cr, and Walnut Cr. These waterways cut through the section lines, creating a rolling topography that contrasts with the rigid grid of rural roads like Madison RD and Kings RD.

A high density of pioneer and family burial grounds, such as Ryan Farm Cem, New Oregon Cem, and the Ladwig Farm Cem, provides a detailed record of early settlement patterns and genealogical history. The map also traces the Prairie Farmer Recreational Trl as it cuts diagonally across the townships, following a former rail corridor toward Ridgeway. Religious centers like the German Methodist Cem and Saint Johns Lutheran Cem further illustrate the established community clusters that formed between the larger township centers.