1894 Map of Goose Lake

About this map

The Mississippi River and Wapsipinicon River define the southeastern corner of this Clinton County landscape, captured by topographer W.J. Peters just before the turn of the century. The terrain reflects a transition from river lowlands near Swan Is. to the interior wetlands of Goose Lake, which feeds into Deer Creek. The regional economy of the 1890s is clearly etched in the path of the Chicago and North Western Railroad, which links the grain-collecting points of Charlotte, Low Moor, and Malone. Local transport hubs like Bryant and Camanche serve as anchors for the rural townships, while the network of roads connecting Elvira suggests a well-established agricultural community. The map provides a distinct view of Iowa's river border before modern industrial shifts, highlighting the intricate drainage patterns of Brophys Creek and the surrounding prairies.