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1948 Map of Vandalia

Name: 1948 Topographic Map of Vandalia
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1959
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1959

About this map

Vandalia serves as the focal point for this survey of Cass County, where the Grand Trunk Western RR cuts across a landscape dominated by dozens of glacial lakes. The village, situated between Donnell Lake and Paradise Lake, is surrounded by a dense network of late-1940s rural infrastructure including the Red Brick Sch, Chain Lake Ch, and the Youngs Prairie Cem. This era shows a community heavily invested in seasonal recreation, as evidenced by the numerous youth camps such as Camp Ki Lo Qua and Camp Tannadoonah clustered around Birch Lake.

The southern portion of the map transitions into the agricultural plains near the Indiana border, marked by crossroads like Kessington and Pullman Corners. Notable for genealogists are the many small, family-named landmarks and institutions like Shaffer Cem and the Allegheny Sch. The presence of the Airway Beacon near Brownsville reflects the technological integration of the post-war rural landscape, while the topography remains defined by features like Misery Mountain and Youngs Prairie.