Loading map...

1953 Map of Joy

Name: 1953 Topographic Map of Joy
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1977
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1977

About this map

The Mississippi River defines the western edge of this landscape where Mercer County, Illinois, meets Louisa County, Iowa. The river valley is dominated by the Upper Mississippi River Wild Life and Fish Refuge, featuring riparian landmarks like Corsepius Island and a network of embankments including a Dike line. Inland, the terrain is shaped by the Edwards River and Pope Creek, which cut through a predominantly agricultural region organized into townships such as New Boston and Millersburg.

Rural life in the mid-20th century is evidenced by a distribution of small social centers, including the Pleasant View School, Hazel Dell School, and Lone Star School. The map records several small settlements and railway vestiges, most notably an Old Railroad Grade running through Arpee. Genealogists will find value in the precise locations of family and community burial grounds, such as Shields Cemetery and Mannon Cemetery.