1940s Maps of Shelby County, Illinois
Explore 12 historic maps of Shelby County from the 1940s. These maps offer a rare glimpse into what life looked like during the 1940s — showing old roads, neighborhoods, homes, and landmarks that have changed or disappeared over time.
Whether you're researching your family's past, planning a metal detecting trip, or studying how Shelby County's landscape evolved across the 1940s, these high-resolution maps are a powerful tool for exploring the history of this region.
- Focus on a specific era: All maps on this page are from the 1940s, giving you a focused view of this time period.
- See what’s changed: Compare century-old streets, trails, and buildings to today's modern landscape using overlays and satellite layers.
- Research with precision: Use these maps for genealogy, historical research, land use analysis, or educational projects.
- View, download, or print: Maps are fully viewable online in high resolution, and can be downloaded or printed for your own records.
Start exploring Shelby County's history through authentic maps from the 1940s. This is your window into the past.
Shelby County, IL maps
(12)- 1940 Map of Sullivan1940 Sullivan1940 Print · USGSCentral Illinois is seen here just before the Second World War, showing a landscape defined by small townships and an extensive rail network. Genealogists and local researchers can locate dozens of country schools like Hewitt Sch and Titus Sch, or trace family sites such as Wright Cem and the Masonic Home.2 unique versions available
- 1941 Map of St. Elmo, 1958 Print1941 St. Elmo1958 Print · USGSThe Illinois counties of Fayette, Shelby, and Effingham are mapped here in the early 1940s at the height of their rail-and-refinery era. Genealogists and historians can trace numerous country schools like Martin Box Sch and churches like Crums Chapel near the Carter Refinery.2 unique versions available
- 1942 Map of Shelbyville, 1958 Print1942 Shelbyville1958 Print · USGSShelby County at the start of the 1940s reveals a landscape defined by the winding Kaskaskia River and its many bridge crossings. Researchers can trace family history through dozens of rural landmarks like Williamsburg Hill, Glenwood Cem, and Sandy Hill Sch.2 unique versions available
- 1944 Map of Ramsey, 1976 Print1944 Ramsey1976 Print · USGSFayette County communities like Ramsey and Bingham thrive along the intersection of the Illinois Central and other major rail lines during the 1940s. Genealogists can trace family roots through numerous rural landmarks like Bayle City P O, Halford Chapel, and Hoffman Cem.
- 1945 Map of St. Elmo1945 St. Elmo1945 Print · USGSFayette and Effingham counties are seen here in the 1940s at a peak of rail and river industry. Genealogists and historians can trace family locations near Saint Elmo, locate the Carter Refinery, or find rural landmarks like Crums Chapel and Meyers Cem.2 unique versions available
- 1946 Map of Shelbyville1946 Shelbyville1946 Print · USGSMid-century Shelby County centers on the rail-and-river hub of Shelbyville during an era of thriving rural townships. Genealogists can trace hundreds of family sites, from the County Poor Farm to Ragweed Sch and Gallagher Chapel Cem.2 unique versions available
- 1946 Map of Ramsey1946 Ramsey1946 Print · USGSCentral Illinois rail-and-river life thrives mid-century as the Kaskaskia River winds past a dense network of country schoolhouses. Genealogists and local historians can trace family roots at Shed Cem, Bayle City P O, and the Illinois State Penal Farm.2 unique versions available
- 1947 Map of Pana1947 Pana1947 Print · USGSRailroad lines from three major carriers converge at Pana in the mid-1940s, serving a productive agricultural landscape across three counties. Researchers can locate dozens of country schools and churches, including Swamp Angel School, Sacred Heart Cem, and Owaneco.
- 1947 Map of Stewardson, 1965 Print1947 Stewardson1965 Print · USGSMid-century Shelby County is mapped here as a thriving agricultural landscape defined by its rural schools and rail junctions. Genealogists can locate family landmarks like Rincker Cem and East Salem School, or trace the rail lines through Stewardson.
- 1949 Map of Stewardson1949 Stewardson1949 Print · USGSShelby and Moultrie counties thrive as a vital rail and farming hub at the close of the 1940s. Researchers can locate dozens of country landmarks like Jordan Chapel, Rincker Cem, and North Liberty Sch along the region's busy rail lines.2 unique versions available
- 1949 Map of Dalton City1949 Dalton City1949 Print · USGSCentral Illinois agriculture and rail transit are documented here just after the war, showing the dense network of one-room schools and country churches. Genealogists can locate family landmarks like Sanner Chapel, New Hope Cem, and Penn Consolidated Sch.2 unique versions available
- 1949 Map of Pana1949 Pana1949 Print · USGSCentral Illinois rail traffic peaked in the late 1940s as five major lines converged at the hub of Pana. Researchers can trace the rural school system and family burial grounds such as Durbin College Sch and Mound Cem.2 unique versions available
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Showing maps 1-12 of 12
Top cities of Shelby County
- Shelbyville historical maps
- Windsor historical maps
- Stewardson historical maps
- Findlay historical maps
- Tower Hill historical maps
- Cowden historical maps
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