1983 Map of Fordham

About this map

The Grand River and its numerous tributaries, including Wheeler Creek and Bee Creek, define the rolling landscape of DeKalb County in the early 1980s. This survey captures a rural environment marked by early utility and transit corridors, such as a wooden pole transmission line and an old railroad grade that runs north through Fordham. The presence of the Pony Express State Wildlife Area and its associated Pony Express Lake highlights a shift toward conservation and public recreation alongside traditional agriculture. Several quarries dot the hills, indicating local mineral extraction in the townships of Camden, Adams, and Colfax. For genealogists, the map preserves the exact locations of family and community landmarks like Redman Cem and Mt Pleasant Cem, while the southern border shows the early growth of Osborn and Cameron near the Cameron Reservoirs.