1944 Map of Iona

About this map

The confluence of the White River and the Missouri River anchors this 1940s landscape, revealing a rural network defined by its proximity to these major waterways. The community of Iona sits inland among the bluffs, surrounded by a dense distribution of one-room schoolhouses that once served these remote townships, including Lincoln Sch, Star Sch, and the Dobbins Sch (abandoned). The reliance on groundwater is evident through numerous Artesian Wells and Artesian Well markers scattered across the uplands and the river bottoms of Tom s Bottoms. Large landforms like Bailey Island and Philips Island remain prominent features within the Missouri channel, while local infrastructure is represented by the Grandview Cem and Franks Dam. The map captures a moment when small rural districts were the primary social unit, evidenced by the dozen or more named schools and the centrally located Iona Cem.