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1944 Map of Beardstown

Name: 1944 Topographic Map of Beardstown
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1966
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1966

About this map

The Sangamon River and the Illinois River converge near Beardstown, creating a complex network of backwaters and sloughs that define this Central Illinois landscape. The 1940s culture revision reveals a countryside densely dotted with community institutions such as Onion School, Hawkeye School, and Good Hope School. These rural landmarks, often positioned at crossroads near family farms, reflect a decentralized settlement pattern common before post-war school consolidations.

North of the river, Astoria and Browning serve as primary hubs connected by the Burlington Chicago and Quincy railroad line. The floodplains are rich with named water bodies like Crane Lake, Stewart Lake, and Mound Lake, illustrating the river's dynamic influence on the region's geography. From the Woodland Church in the northeast to the various cemeteries and country chapels like Griggs Chapel, the map documents the spiritual and social foundations of Cass, Schuyler, and Fulton counties during the mid-20th century.