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1954 Map of Alton

Name: 1954 Topographic Map of Alton
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1969
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1969

About this map

The industrial and riverfront character of Alton is clearly defined at mid-century, where the Mississippi River meets a complex network of railroads including the Gulf Mobile and Ohio and the Illinois Terminal. This period shows the city as a significant regional hub, anchored by civic landmarks like the Public Square, City Hall, and the massive Lock and Dam No 26. The landscape north of the city transitions into the rolling hills of Godfrey, notable for the campus of Monticello College and the tranquil Warren Levis Lake.

Genealogical and local history details are abundant, with several significant burial grounds documented, including the Confederate Cem and National Cem near North Alton. The map traces the early expansion of the city into the surrounding bluffs, where older landmarks like Bethany Ch and the Rocky Fork Ch stand near developing residential areas. Across the river, the bottomlands of Portage Des Sioux reveal the intricate hydrology of Dresser Island and Brick House Slough before the era of modern levee modifications.