Loading map...

1962 Map of Brownfield

Name: 1962 Topographic Map of Brownfield
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1965
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1965

About this map

The Shawnee National Forest dominates this Southern Illinois landscape, where the rugged terrain of the Shawnee Hills meets the lowlands of the Ohio River valley. This 1965 compilation reflects the mid-century intersection of natural conservation and agricultural infrastructure. Established recreational areas like Dixon Springs State Park and Lake Glendale are prominent, while the Dixon Springs Experiment Station highlights the region's historical role in agricultural research.

Evidence of the 19th-century river-and-rail economy is preserved in the location of small settlements like Old Brownfield and Reevesville along the Illinois Central Railroad. Notable local landmarks and genealogical sites are scattered throughout the hills, including the Raum Lookout Tower and numerous family cemeteries such as Barger Cem and Whiteside Cem. The map provides a detailed view of the drainage patterns through Bay Creek and its many branches, illustrating how water shaped both the geography and the placement of communities like Ropers Landing on the river's edge.