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1953 Map of Coal Valley

Name: 1953 Topographic Map of Coal Valley
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1971
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1971

About this map

Industrial expansion and rural landscapes meet along the Rock River in this mid-century survey of the Illinois borderlands. The northern portion of the map is dominated by the urban density of Moline, East Moline, and Silvis, where residential neighborhoods and schools like Roosevelt School and Township High Sch are shown in detail. In contrast, the southern reaches transition into the rolling terrain of Rural and Western townships, where the local economy was anchored by coal extraction at the Black Hawk Mine and Gem Mine.

The presence of the Illinois and Mississippi Canal and the Burlington Northern railroad highlights the region's importance as a transportation hub. Unique landmarks such as the Quad City Seaplane Base on the river and the Motorcycle Speed Track near Coal Valley provide a specific look at the recreational and infrastructure developments of the early 1950s. The map also carefully documents several local burial grounds, including Glenwood Cemetery and Memorial Park Cemetery, serving as a valuable resource for genealogical research.