Loading map...

1915 Map of Chester

Name: 1915 Topographic Map of Chester
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1929
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1929

About this map

Kaskaskia and the surrounding river bottomlands dominate this landscape during a period of complex river navigation and rail development. The Mississippi River creates a natural state boundary between Illinois and Missouri, yet the map reveals the shifting nature of these borders, with Kaskaskia Island and Crains Island serving as prominent features within the floodplain. Significant transport hubs like Chester, home to a noted Penitentiary, and St Marys on the Missouri side, are linked by various rail lines, including the Iron Mountain and Southern Railroad and the Cape Girardeau Northern.

Genealogists can find numerous rural landmarks, including the Preston Cemetery and an extensive network of schools such as Oak Ridge School, Walnut Ridge School, and Bois Brule School. The river economy is evident in labels for Farmers Ldg and Okaw Ldg, marking points where the water met the land for commerce. These details preserve a view of the region before modern river management and highway systems altered the movement of people and goods through the valley.