1968 Map of Croton

About this map

The Des Moines River carves a prominent path through this landscape, serving as the natural boundary between Missouri and Iowa. In the late 1960s, the region was defined by a mix of timbered uplands and river-bottom agriculture, with the Shimek State Forest preserved in the north. The area's deep history is explicitly marked by the Old Indian Treaty Boundary, which cuts across the northern terrain. Small settlements like Athens and Croton sit directly on opposite banks of the river, while Peaksville serves the southern rural interior. Transportation corridors are well-defined by the Chicago Rock Island and Pacific railroad, which parallels the river's course. Local genealogical interest is high due to the presence of several family-named burial sites including Shaffer Cem, Walker Cem, and Northrup Cem, alongside a standalone Grave in the Sweet Home township.