1976 Map of Howard City NW

About this map

Morley and Howard City anchor this orthophotoquad, which uses 1976 aerial photography to document the landscape of western Montcalm County. The imagery reveals the intricate, winding course of the Little Muskegon River as it cuts through a patchwork of agricultural fields and woodlots. South of the river, the village of Amble sits at a rural crossroads, while the larger grid of Howard City is visible near the confluence of Tamarack Creek. This specialized photograph-based map provides a literal view of land use and vegetation patterns just as the region’s modern road network was becoming firmly established, offering a stark contrast between the dense wooded wetlands of the river valleys and the cleared, rectangular farmsteads that dominate the higher ground.