2012 Map of Beardstown

About this map

The Illinois River dominates this landscape, weaving through a complex network of backwaters and islands including Grape Island and Sugar Creek Island. On its eastern banks, Beardstown stands as a significant riverfront hub, while the smaller settlements of Frederick and Oak Grove sit at the transition from the river bottomlands to the higher bluffs. The map reveals an intricate hydrological system where the Sangamon River meets the Illinois, creating expansive features like Muscooten Bay and Wood Slough. Family-named cemeteries such as Messerer Cem, Marchant Cem, and Bellomy Cem are scattered across the northern uplands near Pleasant View, providing valuable data points for those tracing local lineages. Transportation routes like Old Route 67 and proximity to Briggs Landing highlight the area's historical reliance on both river commerce and road connectivity.