1961 Map of North Manchester South

About this map

The Eel River valley in the early 1960s was defined by a dense network of farming townships and cross-cutting rail lines. The Pennsylvania and Erie-Lackawanna railroads intersect near Bolivar, serving the agricultural communities of Laketon, Ijamsville, and Urbana. Beyond the clustered town centers, the landscape is partitioned by a grid of named rural roads, including Garrison Road and Haupert Road, reflecting the organized land division of Wabash County. Genealogists can find numerous family and local burial sites, such as Algers Cem, Krisher Cem, and Long Cem. The presence of a Public Fishing Site at Round Lake and various water control features like Sharp Ditch and Ditch illustrate how the natural glacial lakes and marshes were managed for both recreation and cultivation.