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1966 Map of Spencer

Name: 1966 Topographic Map of Spencer
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1983
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1983

About this map

The confluence of the Little Sioux River and the Ocheyedan River anchors this mid-century survey of Clay County, centered on the growing city of Spencer. The map documents a period of significant urban expansion, indicated by purple tinting that extends beyond the original 1966 city limits into surrounding townships like Sioux and Riverton. The Chicago Milwaukee St Paul and Pacific railroad bisects the landscape, serving as a critical artery for the region's agricultural economy.

Community life is deeply etched into the grid of Spencer, from the Courthouse and Hospital to a dense collection of neighborhood schools including Johnson Sch, Fairview Sch, and Lincoln Sch. Local landmarks such as the County Fairground, the Spencer Country Club, and the Drive-in Theater reflect the social fabric of the era, while the Ocheyedan River State Game Refuge preserves the natural character of the river bottoms to the west.