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1973 Map of Independence

Name: 1973 Topographic Map of Independence
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1977
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1977

About this map

The Wapsipinicon River defines the urban and natural landscape of this Buchanan County region, flowing through the heart of Independence and creating the Independence Impoundment. During the mid-1970s, the city served as a significant rail junction where the Illinois Central Gulf and Chicago Rock Island and Pacific railroads crossed. The map documents an extensive institutional presence south of the city center, notably the large State Hospital complex and its associated State Hospital Cem.

Beyond the civic core, which includes the Courthouse and several schools like Jefferson Sch, the landscape transitions into the agricultural townships of Washington, Westburg, and Sumner. Local recreation is well-established along the riverbanks at the Wapsipinicon Country Club and Wapsipinicon River Access County Park. Genealogists will find detailed plotting of several burial grounds, including St Johns Cem, Oakwood Cem, and Mt Hope Cem.