1961 Map of Carrier Mills

About this map

Strip mines and industrial activity dominate this section of Southern Illinois during the early 1960s, where the New York Central railroad network serves a series of active extraction sites like Sahara Mine No 7 and the Blue Bird Mine No 7. The landscape is a complex patchwork of excavations and natural water features such as Open Pond and Black Slough north of the South Fork Saline River. The primary settlement of Carrier Mills serves as a central hub, while smaller communities and landmarks provide vital genealogical context. Researchers can locate the Dykersburg Sch, the uniquely named South American Ch, and family burial grounds including Henshaw Cem and Trout Cem. The transition from the rugged mining operations in the north to the Shawnee National Forest in the southeast illustrates the region's diverse land use.