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1984 Map of Oelwein

Name: 1984 Topographic Map of Oelwein
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1989
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1989

About this map

The Mississippi River and Wisconsin River confluence dominates the eastern boundary of this mid-1980s landscape, where steep bluffs give way to the rolling agricultural plateaus of northeast Iowa. This region is marked by significant cultural and natural preserves, including the prehistoric earthworks at Effigy Mounds National Monument and the high overlooks of Pikes Peak State Park. Moving inland, the Turkey River and Volga River carve intricate drainage patterns through townships like Volga and Jefferson.

Settlement patterns reveal a mix of established river towns like Guttenberg and interior agricultural hubs such as Strawberry Point and Fayette. The map highlights a transition in transportation, showing the active Chicago and North Western rail line alongside an Old Railroad Grade. Local history is preserved in sites like St Sebald and the rugged topography of Backbone State Park, home to the distinctive ridge known as The Backbone.