1982 Map of Wataga

About this map

Wataga and Henderson anchor this Knox County landscape, serving as the primary centers of settlement during the early 1980s. The region is defined by a dense network of local burial grounds, including the Bruner Cem, Ontario Cem, and Gum Cem, which provide significant touchstones for genealogists tracing family roots through Ontario and Sparta townships. The Burlington Northern railroad cuts a diagonal path through the southeastern corner, while an Old RR Grade north of Wataga hints at former transportation corridors that once shaped the local economy. Agriculture and light infrastructure predominate, evidenced by features like the Johnson Landing Strip and a series of pipelines crossing the creek-fed terrain. The distinct branches of Henderson Creek and South Henderson Creek drain the western portion of the quadrangle, illustrating the natural drainage patterns that influenced the placement of original homesteads and small communities like Gehring.