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1948 Map of Alton

Name: 1948 Topographic Map of Alton
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1954
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1954

About this map

The Mississippi River defines the southwestern edge of this post-war landscape, where the bustling industrial hub of Alton gives way to upland institutions and rural townships. Educational landmarks figure prominently across the terrain, from Shurtleff College and the Western Military Academy in Upper Alton to the sprawling grounds of Monticello Seminary further north in Godfrey. The riverfront is dominated by transportation infrastructure, including the Lewis and Clark Toll Bridge and the extensive tracks of the Gulf Mobile and Ohio and Illinois Terminal railroads.

Deep ravines like Hop Hollow and Youngblood Hollow cut through the bluffs, revealing a complex topography that shaped local development. Beyond the city center, researchers can find smaller communities such as North Alton and Melville, alongside recreational sites like Rock Springs Park and the Warren Levis Scout Camp. The map also preserves the locations of numerous historic burial grounds, notably the Confederate Cem and the Alton City Cem.