1909 Map of Cross Plains

About this map

Cross Plains and its surrounding townships in Dane County show a landscape defined by the drainage of Black Earth Creek and the Sugar River during the early twentieth century. This era finds the region deeply connected to the rail network, with the Chicago Milwaukee and St Paul RR and the Chicago and Northwestern RR providing vital links for communities like Mt Horeb, Middleton, and Black Earth. High points such as Table Bluff and Lutheran Hill stand out amongst the complex topography, while smaller settlements like Marxville, Martinsville, and Pine Bluff serve as local hubs. Genealogists and local historians can locate specific landmarks including Ashton Church and the Lutheran Church in Middleton, alongside natural features like Richardson Cave and Indian Lake. The map details a period when these agricultural and transit corridors were firmly established before modern highway expansion altered the rural character.