2010 Map of What Cheer

About this map

The South English River flows across the northern reaches of this Keokuk County landscape, a region defined by its rural grid and historic burial grounds. The namesake community of What Cheer occupies the southwestern corner, anchored by the What Cheer Post Office, while the smaller settlement of Thornburg sits to the north near its own Thornburg Post Office. This area is particularly rich for genealogical research, documenting numerous family and community landmarks such as McFarlan Cemetery, Bailey Cemetery, and Saint Josephs Cemetery. Between the clusters of homes in Jamestown and the larger town centers, a network of waterways including Coal Creek, Smith Creek, and Rock Creek carves through the farmland. The presence of Old Pottery Rd near the southern boundary hints at the local industry that once shaped this corner of Iowa, offering a clear view of the section lines and rural infrastructure that have long characterized the local township structure.