1971 Map of Gentry

About this map

Kansas City Southern rail lines anchor the agricultural and industrial landscape of western Benton County, connecting the established hubs of Decatur and Gentry. This 1970s survey, updated with early 1980s data, reveals a region defined by its water resources and transport networks. To the north and east, the topography becomes more complex, carved by South Prong Spavinaw Creek and the deep incisions of Columbia Hollow and Grape Hollow. The presence of the Crystal Lake Airport and several Fish Hatchery sites speaks to the local economy and land use during this period. Local history and genealogy are well-represented by long-standing community markers like Midway Church, Bethel Heights Church, and the Gentry Cemetery. Small-scale infrastructure, including a Gaging Station on Flint Creek and various ponds, illustrates the management of the many branches and creeks that feed the Springtown area.