1953 Map of Coal Valley

About this map

Industrial and rural landscapes converge along the Rock River corridor in this mid-century look at the Quad Cities' southeastern edge. The map documents the heavy footprint of the Black Hawk Mine and Gem Mine, highlighting the coal extraction history that gave Coal Valley its name. While urban expansion from Moline and East Moline pushes south, the riverfront maintains specialized transit and recreation sites including the Quad City Seaplane Base and Lock No 29 on the Illinois and Mississippi Canal. In the quieter southern sections, institutional landmarks such as the Oak Glen Nursing Home and the Arrowhead Ranch sit amidst a network of family-named creeks and rural schools like the Kingdom School. The inclusion of a Motorcycle Speed Track south of the primary settlement reflects the evolving recreational character of the valley during the early 1950s.