1953 Map of Beecher West

About this map

Beecher sits at the edge of this prairie landscape, where the Chicago and Eastern Illinois railroad parallels the main road north to south. The area is defined by its small farming communities and a network of early schools and churches that served the rural population of Washington and Sumner townships. While Beecher is the primary hub, the smaller stop at Sollitt and the crossing at Whitaker highlight the importance of rail transit in the early 1950s.