1972 Map of Fertile NE

About this map

Shell Rock River winds through the northeastern corner of this Worth County landscape, defining a rural Iowa environment focused on water management and conservation in the early 1970s. The map illustrates a complex network of man-made drainage, including Ditch No 2 and Ditch No 40, which transformed the natural wetlands of Hartland and Brookfield into productive agricultural land. Conservation efforts are highly visible through the extensive Elk Creek Marsh State Game Management Area and several local recreation sites like Ochee Yahola County Park. Local history is anchored by the North Shell Rock Cem and scattered Gravel Pits that supported the local road infrastructure. This 1972 survey also captures the early presence of modern transit amenities, specifically the Rest Area situated along the major highway corridor bisecting the region.