1975 Map of Decorah 4 NW

About this map

The Yellow River meanders through the southern reaches of this landscape in Winneshiek County, carving a distinct valley through the agricultural tablelands of northeastern Iowa. This 1975 orthophotograph, produced by the U.S. Geological Survey and the Iowa Geological Survey, provides a detailed aerial perspective of the region's land use during the mid-1970s. The imagery reveals a complex patchwork of contoured fields and woodlots, reflecting the soil conservation practices and farming patterns established in the Driftless Area. Unlike traditional line-drawn maps, this photo-based study from the Department of the Interior highlights the exact footprint of farmsteads and the dense network of rural roads that connect them to the surrounding valley floor.