1948 Map of Gobles

About this map

Gobles and Bloomingdale anchor this 1948 survey of Van Buren County, showing a landscape defined by a dense network of rural school districts and small agricultural hubs. The New York Central railroad provides the primary industrial spine, connecting the settlements of Berlamont, Kendall, and Mentha across the glacial till. In the southern portion of the map, the Wolf Lake Fish Hatchery and adjacent Rearing Ponds indicate early state conservation efforts. The terrain is dotted with small kettle lakes like Great Bear Lake and Swan Lake, many of which supported localized settlements or recreation. The abundance of namesake landmarks, such as Covey Hill Ch and Armstrong Corners, offers a detailed look at the 1940s township structure before the consolidation of rural services, preserving the locations of numerous country schools like Old Pine Grove Sch and Healy Sch.