1944 Map of Marcellus

About this map

The Paw Paw River and Rocky River systems anchor this landscape at the intersection of Van Buren and Cass counties. During the mid-1940s, the region was defined by its glacial lakes and a dense network of rural infrastructure, including many schools like Ackley Sch and Chamberlain Sch that served local farm families. The rail-and-river economy is evident in the layout of settlements such as Lawton, Decatur, and Marcellus, which grew alongside the Pere Marquette, New York Central, and Grand Trunk railroad lines.