2013 Map of Hanford

About this map

Blazing Star Prairie remains a notable natural preserve in this section of Cerro Gordo County, surrounded by a grid of agricultural land and small rural hubs. The landscape is defined by the headwaters and tributaries of several drainage systems, including Mason Cr and Cheslea Cr, which flow through the northern reaches of the quadrangle. Transport infrastructure is dominated by the intersection of major routes at Mason City Junction, a critical point where regional highways meet east of Hurley. The small settlements of Hanford and Cameron appear as quiet junctions along the local road network, which follows a strict section-line layout including Quail Ave and 220th St. To the south and east, the winding paths of Beaver Cr and E Br Beaverdam Cr create the only breaks in the geometric pattern of the Iowa farmland, illustrating the persistent influence of hydrology on the development of this prairie region.