1959 Map of Sparks

About this map

The Iowa Sac and Fox Indian Mission stands near the northern edge of this survey, marking a significant site of regional history just west of Sparks. The landscape is defined by the winding course of the Wolf River, which draws a deep valley through the center of the quadrangle as it moves toward its eventual confluence with the Missouri R. Settled pockets like Fanning, Moray, and Severance are linked by the steel of the Union Pacific and Chicago Rock Island and Pacific railroads, which track alongside the river and its many tributaries, including Kenney Creek and Cold Springs Branch. Genealogical interest is scattered across the uplands at the Iola Cem, Fanning Cem, and Wolf River Cem. One-room schoolhouses like Buffalo Sch and Hickory Grove Sch anchor the rural landscape, while local industry is noted by several quarries carved into the bluffs.