1915 Map of Avon

About this map

Avon and Bushnell anchor this detailed study of the west-central Illinois prairie as it appeared during the transition to more modern infrastructure. The landscape is defined by a dense network of early 20th-century rural schools, including Oldtown School, Olive School, and Gooseneck School, illustrating the localized nature of education before consolidation. The Spoon River meanders through the eastern portion, punctuated by historic crossings such as Indian Ford Bridge and the Buckeye Bridge. Transportation is heavily influenced by the intersecting lines of the Chicago Burlington and Quincy and the Toledo Peoria and Western railroads, which facilitated the growth of settlements like Prairie City and St Augustine. Notable community landmarks such as Templars Hall and the settlement at Babylon provide specific points of interest for local history and genealogical research.