1958 Map of Gatchel

About this map

The ridge-and-hollow topography of eastern Perry County defines this mid-century survey, where rural life is anchored by family-named schools and churches. Concentrated around St Joe Ridge, the community network includes St Joseph Ch and the Theis Sch, while the southern reaches feature the Perry County Municipal Airport. The landscape is heavily influenced by the presence of the Leopold National Forest and portions of the Ferdinand State Forest, which preserve the wooded character of the drainage basins for the Middle Fork Anderson River and Deer Creek. The map documents a classic Indiana hill-country settlement pattern, with small population centers like Gatchel and Terry situated on higher ground above the winding creek beds and namesake hollows such as Harpeneau Hollow and Bolin Hollow.