Johnson County High Point Trip Report

Date: April 29, 2001
Author: Ken Oeser

I was also fooled by the new/old highway trick. Just north of the Johnson county line on Old Highway 69, pull into the driveway at a house on the east side. The owners are Margaret and Joe Swartz. The largest of the 3 areas is just behind their barn/workshed. They said others are welcome to come visit, and also said maybe they should put up a plaque.

The other two areas are across the highway, one just past a large water tank, and a smaller area between the highway and the water tank. Mr Swartz says the land was raised 18 feet before the tank was put there, but I doubt it because the topo shows the two areas before the tank and new highway, and the tank is no higher than the one behind the barn.

An agriculture core sampler told him his spot has the highest black dirt, but he couldn't recall if that was in the county, state, or what. He did say he was told his spot is the highest in the county. The water tank side of the road is posted, but makes a nice turnaround spot for those confused by the new highway.