2012 Map of Broughton

About this map

Broughton anchors this Southern Illinois landscape, where the rural grid is defined by a dense network of family-named cemeteries and wandering watercourses. The drainage of the N Fork Saline River and its tributaries, such as Contrary Cr and Rector Cr, dictates the placement of outlying settlements like Dale and Francis. For genealogists, the map is remarkably detailed, identifying numerous burial sites including the Lantham Cem, Gholson Cem, and the Gaines Family Cem. The southeastern corner transitions toward Texas City, with the terrain rising slightly at Big Hill near its namesake Big Hill Cem. The interplay between the rigid section-line roads and the erratic paths of the creeks illustrates the enduring agricultural character of Hamilton County during this era.