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1981 Map of Mount Zion

Name: 1981 Topographic Map of Mount Zion
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1981
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1981

About this map

Des Moines River meanders through the southern half of this landscape, carving deep valleys that contrast with the organized grid of upland farms in Van Buren County. The town of Mount Zion sits at a critical junction near the Chicago Rock Island and Pacific railroad line, which follows the river's northern bank before cutting across the interior. Evidence of early settlement and community life is scattered throughout the township, from the County Home and Mt Zion Ch to small rural burials like Miller Cem and Leech Cem.

The rugged terrain around Little Lick Creek and Rock Creek provided natural drainage for the agricultural plots while also offering space for recreation at Austin County Park and the nearby Campground. In the north, the small settlement of Winchester and the southern edge of Birmingham anchor the rural road network, while a local Quarry indicates the area's geological utility during the early 1980s.