1972 Map of Swaledale

About this map

Swaledale and the eastern edge of Thornton sit within a landscape of prairie-style agricultural tracts, where the industrial footprint of the Chicago and North Western railroad dictates the local geometry. The map reveals a transition across the Cerro Gordo and Franklin County line, characterized by a complex drainage system that includes both natural meandering waterways like Beaverdam Creek and straightened infrastructure such as Ditch No 92 and Ditch No 57. For genealogists, the Township Cem and Richard Cem provide specific points of interest for family research. The landscape is also marked by localized extraction sites and community landmarks, including a Radio Tower and a dedicated Picnic Area along the banks of Bailey Creek.