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1914 Map of Centralia

Name: 1914 Topographic Map of Centralia
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1914
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1914

About this map

Centralia serves as a major rail hub in this early 20th-century landscape, where the Illinois Central RR, Southern RR, and Chicago and Burlington lines converge. The town's grid is meticulously detailed, extending northward through Central City to Junction City. This industrial density contrasts with the surrounding agricultural townships like Sandoval and Odin, where the land is dotted with a remarkably high concentration of rural schoolhouses. Distinctive names like Possomtrot School, Toad Island School, and Red Stripe School highlight the localized character of these early educational districts.

Water management and natural drainage are central to the region's development, evidenced by the Old Reservoir and the winding course of the Kaskaskia River across the northern reaches. The Boulder Bottoms and various creek systems, including Crooked Creek and Lost Creek, define the topography between the scattered settlements of Shattuc and Fairman. For genealogists, the map provides precise locations for the Centralia Cemetery and several smaller burial grounds, alongside family-named landmarks like Fikes Hill.