1926 Map of Viroqua

About this map

The driftless landscape of Vernon County is defined here by its intricate ridge-and-coulee topography, where early 20th-century life centered on a dense network of country schools and churches. Viroqua and Westby serve as the primary hubs along the Chicago Milwaukee and St Paul railroad, which follows the high ground of the watershed. Notable rural institutions include the Coon Prairie Church and the Vernon County Asylum, while numerous family-named schools like Lium School and Von Ruden School highlight the distributed nature of the era's farming communities. Deep valleys such as Bohemian Valley and Spring Coulee cut through the ridges, housing settlements like Springville and Avalanch. Distinctive landmarks like Chimney Rock stand out against the agricultural plateau, while the West Fork Kickapoo River and Fork Bad Axe River drain the eastern and western slopes respectively.