2024 Map of Carthage West

About this map

The Hancock County Courthouse stands as the central landmark of Carthage, anchoring a region defined by its orderly agricultural grid and numerous rural burial grounds. This 2024 survey captures the western reaches of the county seat, where the urban street plan of Carthage transitions into the productive fields of the Illinois prairie. To the west, the smaller settlements of Ferris, McCall, and Elvaston are linked by a network of rural roads such as E Co Rd 1500 and Maine St. The landscape is etched by a series of south-flowing waterways, including the West Fork Bear Creek, Long Creek, and Chaney Creek, which create natural breaks in the predominantly flat terrain. Local aviation history is represented by small landing strips like Plain Crazy Airport and Schilson Field, illustrating the continued importance of private flight in this farming community. Genealogists will find a high density of historical sites, from the centrally located Moss Ridge Cem to the outlying County Home Cem.