1961 Map of Laura

About this map

Ludlow Creek winds through the northern reaches of this rural landscape, providing a natural focal point for the early 1960s settlements of Laura and Pittsburg. The map reveals a highly structured agricultural grid at the intersection of Darke, Miami, Montgomery, and Preble counties. Transport networks are a primary feature, from the Penn Central rail line running through the northern tier to the numerous family-named roads like Miller Brumbaugh Rd and Wellbaum Rd that suggest long-standing local lineage. Small hamlets like Potsdam, Midway, and Five Points dot the township intersections, reflecting a 19th-century settlement pattern that persisted into the mid-20th century. Local aviation and industry are marked by Myers Airport and a Pumping Sta, while genealogists will find several small burial grounds including Mote Cem and Swank Cem situated among the farmsteads.