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1947 Map of Pittsburg

Name: 1947 Topographic Map of Pittsburg
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1978
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1978

About this map

Pittsburg and its surrounding coalfields dominate this 1940s landscape, where industrial extraction and rural education coexist along the Kansas-Missouri border. The region is heavily marked by Strip Mines, particularly around Mindenmines and Frontenac, creating a distinct topography of excavated pits and tailing mounds. This industrial footprint is interlaced with a dense network of early transportation, including the Kansas City Southern, Missouri Pacific, and St Louis San Francisco railroads that hauled minerals from the district.

Beyond the industrial core, the map reveals a surprisingly thorough network of rural township schools, such as Smelter Sch, Rowe Sch, and Neutral Sch, serving the families of miners and farmers. Waterways like Cow Creek and the Spring River provide the natural drainage for the borderlands, while landmarks like the Atkinson Municipal Airport signal the area's mid-century modernization. For genealogists, the presence of several established burial grounds like Vale Cem and Georgia City Cem offers specific anchors for local family histories.