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1984 Map of Humboldt

Name: 1984 Topographic Map of Humboldt
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1992
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1992

About this map

The Des Moines River valley serves as the central artery for this 1980s landscape, connecting the twin cities of Humboldt and Dakota City with several riverfront recreation areas. The surrounding terrain is defined by an extensive network of drainage infrastructure, such as Ditch No 112 and Ditch No 121, which transformed these prairie lands into productive agriculture. Conservation efforts are highly visible throughout the quadrangle, notably at the Kalsow Prairie State Wildlife Management Area, one of the few remaining fragments of unplowed tallgrass prairie in the state.

Transportation corridors follow the section lines, with the Chicago and North Western and Illinois Central Gulf railroads linking grain-handling settlements like Pocahontas, Laurens, and Rolfe. Local landmarks such as the Laurens Skyways Landing Strip and various quarries and gravel pits suggest a rural economy balanced between aviation, extraction, and industrial farming. From the Gaging Station on the river to small rural sites like Yawn Cem, the map documents the meticulous management of water and land in North Central Iowa.