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1958 Map of Belleville

Name: 1958 Topographic Map of Belleville
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1973
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1973

About this map

Belleville and the expanding industrial corridor of Southern Illinois anchor this 1950s-era landscape, revised to show the emergence of major water projects and regional infrastructure. The massive Carlyle Reservoir and Rend Lake stand out as dominant features, altering the hydrology once defined solely by the Kaskaskia River and Little Wabash River. These man-made lakes sit amidst a legacy of diverse terrain, including the historic Looking Glass Prairie and Grande Cote Prairie, alongside natural landmarks like Emerald Mound.

Extensive rail networks including the Illinois Central RR and Baltimore and Ohio RR connect established hubs like Centralia, Mount Vernon, and Vandalia. This era reveals a landscape in transition, where traditional agriculture and active Oil Fields intersect with the new Interstate 70 and Interstate 64 corridors. The map also highlights protected spaces like Stephen A Forbes State Park, providing a comprehensive look at the mid-century evolution of the Illinois interior.