Bird's-Eye View of Council Bluffs in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, 1868

The lithograph of Council Bluffs is centered on Broad Street as it ran from the northeast to the Missouri River. The streets are organized in a grid pattern, with the commercial buildings centered on Broad and Main Streets and residential buildings spread across the city. The densest areas are in the area of Broad and Main Streets.

Courtesy of Library of Congress, Ruger, A., "Bird's eye view of the city of Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie Co., Iowa," 1868

Description

This lithograph provided a perspective map of the city of Council Bluffs, Iowa, in 1868. The view of the city is from the southwest, looking to the northeast. The map included the physical features of the area as well as the built city.

Transcript of the Bird's-Eye View of Council Bluffs Map

Source-Dependent Questions

How did geographic features influence the settlement and growth of Council Bluffs by 1868? Consider location as well as the pattern of development. Use details from the lithograph to support your answer.
How does the perspective of the lithograph shape the story of Council Bluffs' development? Consider if the perspective had been from the northeast looking southwest. Would the story of Council Bluffs' development been different? Use details from the lithograph to support your answer.

Citation Information

Ruger, A., "Bird's eye view of the city of Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie Co., Iowa," 1868. Courtesy of Library of Congress