1901 Map of Poynette

About this map

The Wisconsin River cuts through the northwest corner of this turn-of-the-century landscape, framing the old settlement of Dekorra near the riverbanks. The region is defined by a dense network of early rail lines, including the Madison and Portage Line and the C. M. and St. P. RR, which spurred the growth of local hubs like Poynette and Morrisonville. In the agricultural heartland of southern Columbia County, smaller hamlets such as Leeds, Leeds Center, and Keyeser appear as vital social and economic centers for rural families. Wetland features like Mud Lake and Goose Pond dot the terrain, while the Boundary Line between Columbia and Dane counties marks the southern edge of the survey, where the town of Dane begins to emerge.