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1938 Map of Russell

Name: 1938 Topographic Map of Russell
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1938
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1938

About this map

Russell and Melrose serve as the primary rail hubs along the Chicago Burlington and Quincy railroad, which cuts across the northern landscape of southern Iowa. The terrain is defined by the winding course of the Chariton River and its numerous tributaries, including Honey Creek and the South Fork Chariton River. This 1930s survey reveals an incredibly dense network of rural infrastructure, where nearly every section of land is served by a local schoolhouse.

From Brush College Sch in the west to Tick Ridge Sch in the east, these dozens of named schools like Ragtown Sch and Maple Grove Sch illustrate the decentralized nature of rural education before modern consolidation. Significant early settlements and landmarks such as Confidence, Bethlehem, and Griffinsville are shown alongside historical burial grounds including Milledgeville Cem and New York Cem, providing a detailed record of the families and communities established in Lincoln, Benton, and Wright townships.