1952 Map of Panora

About this map

The Middle Raccoon River and South Raccoon River carve through Guthrie County, anchoring a landscape defined by small mid-century farming hubs and a dense network of country schools. At this time, regional transport is split between the northern Chicago Milwaukee St Paul and Pacific line passing through Panora and the southern Chicago Rock Island and Pacific route serving Stuart and Menlo. Local history is visible in the transition of rural education, as the map identifies numerous active and shuttered sites like School No 2 (Abandoned) and Frog Pond Sch. The layout of landmarks such as the County Home near Guthrie Center and various burial grounds like Morrisburg Cem provides a clear view of the social and civic infrastructure in central Iowa during the early 1950s.