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1960 Map of Downs North

Name: 1960 Topographic Map of Downs North
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1980
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1980

About this map

Downs serves as the focal point of this North-Central Kansas survey, situated where the North Fork Solomon River and South Fork Solomon River approach their confluence. The town's layout reflects its importance as a local transportation hub, anchored by the Missouri Pacific railroad line and an Old Railroad Grade that speaks to shifting rail infrastructure over time. The surrounding landscape in Bethany and Ross townships is a mosaic of agriculture and small community institutions, many of which provide vital clues for genealogists researching the area's rural history.

Rural schools like Oak Creek Sch, Pleasant Ridge Sch, and Twelvemile Sch are scattered across the terrain, indicating the density of the farming population during the mid-20th century. The map also meticulously records local spiritual and commemorative sites, including Rose Valley Ch and its associated Rose Valley Cem, along with Downs Cem and Oakdale Cem. The winding paths of Twelvemile Creek and Oak Creek define the drainage of this prairie region, illustrating the relationship between water sources and settlement patterns like Dispatch.