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1948 Map of Gilman

Name: 1948 Topographic Map of Gilman
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1948
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1948

About this map

The rolling agricultural landscape of Daviess, Harrison, and Grundy counties centers on the town of Gilman City P O and the smaller community of Melbourne. This 1940s topography reveals a dense network of local landmarks, from the Wabash railroad tracks passing through Jameson to dozens of country schools like Stephen Sch and Metcalf Sch. The survey documents a way of life defined by small townships such as Fox Creek and Sugar Creek, where rural churches like Springer Chapel and Union Ch served as social anchors.

Waterways dictate the layout of the land, with the Grand River and Thompson River cutting through the southern and eastern corners. The presence of numerous named landmarks, such as Mason Grove and Hill Cem, provides specific coordinates for family researchers. The map captures a moment when nearly every few square miles supported a dedicated schoolhouse, such as Pilot Grove No 1 Sch or Rock Island Sch, reflecting the peak of rural Missouri's decentralized educational system.