2018 Map of Scotch Ridge

About this map

Scotch Ridge and the nearby village of Summerset occupy the central corridor of this 2018 survey, which captures the suburban and rural landscape between the southern edge of Des Moines and the northern reaches of Indianola. The drainage patterns of the North River and Middle River dominate the topography, creating a series of ridges that historically dictated the placement of settlements and burial grounds. Genealogists will find several well-preserved landmarks, including Scotch Ridge Cem, North River Cem, and Laverty Cem. The map also documents the transition from industry to recreation, shown by the Coal Miner's Daughter site near the path of the Summerset Trail, which follows an old railroad alignment. This transition reflects the evolution of Warren County from a coal-producing region to a residential and recreational extension of the state capital.