A Map That Tells a Story

If you’ve ever wondered who owned the land across Black Hawk County decades ago,  the answer now hangs on a wall inside the Hudson Public Library.  

A large framed plat book map from 1942 offers a detailed snapshot of the county— down to individual landowners—preserved in time. The print was donated by Jim Holmes, who  believes it once belonged to his grandfather, Dale Holmes, a Hudson farmer who likely used  the map as a reference in his day-to-day work.  

The piece carries more than geographic history—it reflects a family’s connection to the  community. Holmes’ mother, Kathleen, served as the Hudson library director for decades,  making the donation a meaningful full-circle moment.  

A closer look at the map reveals Hudson as it appeared in 1942, surrounded by the  names of farmers and families who shaped the area. What was once a practical tool is now a  window into the past—one that invites today’s residents to pause, look closer, and recognize  the roots beneath their feet.