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1943 Map of Brussels

Name: 1943 Topographic Map of Brussels
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1943
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1943

About this map

The confluence of the Mississippi River and the Illinois River dominates this mid-century survey, revealing a landscape defined by seasonal sloughs, islands, and river-bottom agriculture. Along the northern bluffs, Pere Marquette State Park and Cap au Gris overlook a complex network of waterways including Sixmile Slough and Turkey Island. The southern portion of the map transitions into the growing settlements of O'Fallon, St Peters, and the northern edge of St Charles, where the Wabash RR and the historic Boones Lick Road facilitated movement across the plains.

Local rural life is meticulously recorded through a dense network of one-room schoolhouses like Black Jack Sch and Fruitland Sch, alongside private recreation spots such as the Cuivre Club. Of particular interest to historians is the Lonefree Indian Mound near Deer Plain, signaling the long human tenure of these river bluffs. The map also captures specialized infrastructure like the Airway Beacon near Gardnerville, reflecting the era's evolving transportation and navigation needs.