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1973 Map of Independence

Name: 1973 Topographic Map of Independence
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1983
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1983

About this map

The Wapsipinicon River winds through this Buchanan County landscape, anchored by the significant developed area of Independence. In this early 1970s record, the town center is densely mapped with essential civic structures including the Courthouse, City Hall, and several educational facilities like St Johns High School and Jefferson School. A prominent landmark south of the main settlement is the Independence State Hospital, which maintains its own State Hospital Cemetery.

Beyond the residential core, the map reveals an agricultural and utility-focused landscape defined by an Old RR Grade and multiple pipelines cutting across Westburg and Sumner townships. Local genealogy is well-supported by numerous burial sites such as Oakwood Cemetery and Mt Hope Cemetery. The river corridor itself is marked by the Independence Impoundment and public spaces like Three Elms County Park, illustrating the importance of the waterway to the region's layout and recreation.