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1954 Map of Brussels

Name: 1954 Topographic Map of Brussels
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1977
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1977

About this map

The confluence of the Illinois River and Mississippi River defines this peninsula in Calhoun County, where river navigation and rural agriculture met in the mid-20th century. At Calhoun Point, the two massive waterways nearly converge, separated by a landscape of sloughs and backwaters like Swan Lake and Gilbert Lake. The interior of the ridge is dotted with local institutions essential to these isolated river communities, including St Josephs Ch in Brussels and several country schoolhouses like Liberty Sch and Point Pleasant Sch.

Evidence of the area's river-dependent economy is found in the numerous boat landings, such as Auer Landing and Brock Landing, and the unique Maquette Seaplane Base on the Illinois shore. Cultural history is anchored by the Pere Marquette State Park to the northeast and the Lone Tree Indian Mound, indicating long-standing human presence on these bluffs. Small settlements like Golden Eagle and Winneberger are connected by winding roads through hollows like Greenbay Hollow.