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2010 Map of Cross Plains

Name: 2010 Topographic Map of Cross Plains
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2010
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2010

About this map

Laughery Creek and its many tributaries, including Raccoon Creek and Bear Creek, define the landscape of this southern Indiana region. Small rural settlements like Cross Plains and Friendship serve as local hubs, connected by a network of county roads that follow the winding terrain. The area is notable for its high density of family and community burial grounds, such as Akers Cemetery, Arford Cemetery, and Nickolson Cemetery, which offer significant value for genealogical research in this part of Switzerland and Ripley Counties.

Distinctive topographic features like Possum Trot Ridge, Salem Ridge, and the Devils Backbone illustrate the deeply dissected nature of the plateau. In the southern portion of the map, the settlements of Avonburg and Aaron sit amidst a complex drainage system featuring Indian Creek and Horton Hollow. The mapping reveals a persistent agricultural and rural residential pattern, where place names like Poplar Ridge reflect the original timber and landform characteristics that guided early settlement.