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1951 Map of Swede Creek

Name: 1951 Topographic Map of Swede Creek
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1951
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1951

About this map

McDowell Creek and its many meandering tributaries define this mid-century landscape where Riley, Geary, and Wabaunsee counties meet. The area is characterized by a dense network of upland drainage basins, including Swede Creek, Deadman Creek, and the West McDowell and East McDowell branches. This 1951 edition reflects a rural Kansas community organized around localized landmarks, where the Ashland School and Briggs School served as focal points for the surrounding farmsteads.

Genealogists and local historians can find specific markers of early settlement, such as the Ashland Cemetery in the northwest and the Briggs Cemetery situated near the intersection of several stream branches. The intricate topography, mapped from 1947 aerial photography, reveals the placement of numerous small reservoirs and local landmarks like Cleveland School, illustrating the water management and social infrastructure of the Flint Hills region during the post-war era.