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1955 Map of Bement

Name: 1955 Topographic Map of Bement
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1973
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1973

About this map

Agricultural patterns and rail-line connectivity define this mid-century look at Piatt and Moultrie Counties. The Sangamon River winds through the northern portion of the sheet, bordered by family-named landmarks like Cronninger Cem and West Frantz Cem. The landscape is dominated by the geometric precision of drainage ditches such as Mutual Ditch and Wabash Ditch, reflecting the intensive land reclamation efforts required for the region’s productive prairie soil.

Industrial and social life centers on the village of Bement, where the Wabash Railroad and Illinois Terminal Railroad intersect. Further south, smaller hamlets like La Place and Pierson sit along the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, illustrating the vital role of these lines in moving grain and supplies. Rural life is anchored by country meeting points including Asbury Ch and Union Chapel, which remain key markers for genealogists tracing local family histories.