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2019 Map of Gifford

Name: 2019 Topographic Map of Gifford
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2019
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2019

About this map

The low-lying Kankakee River basin of Jasper County is defined here by an intricate system of drainage canals, including the Stalbaum Hershman Ditch and Grant Ditch. This 2019 survey shows a landscape heavily modified for agriculture, where small unincorporated settlements like Gifford and Newland serve as local hubs for the surrounding farmsteads. The human geography of the area is further evidenced by family-named landmarks and infrastructure, such as the Hershman Cem near the northern boundary and the Prater Cem to the west.

Modern transport and local aviation are represented by the Alley Oop Airport in the northeast corner. The map's heavy focus on water management, seen through numerous features like the William Hershman Lateral and Gallaher Ditch, illustrates the ongoing effort to reclaim and maintain this marshy Indiana terrain for productive use. This data provides a clear look at how section lines and drainage paths dictate the layout of rural Jasper County.