1941 Map of Gerald

About this map

The Chicago Rock Island and Pacific railroad forms the central spine of this mid-century landscape, connecting the growing settlements of Gerald, Rosebud, and Owensville. While these rail towns show signs of development, the surrounding countryside remains deeply rooted in a network of small schoolhouses and country churches. Dozens of locally named landmarks such as Drake Sch, Wiedemann Sch, and Japan Sch are scattered across the terrain, serving as vital nodes for the rural community. To the south, the winding course of the Bourbeuse River carves distinct features into the earth, including the sharp oxbows at Bartel Bend and Kampschroeder Bend. This 1941 survey, published later in 1958, provides a clear view of the area's transition from a strictly river-oriented economy to one defined by the rails and early highway routes like Pacific road.