1948 Map of Cobden

About this map

Shawnee National Forest and Union County State Forest dominate the southern Illinois landscape in this 1948 survey, showcasing a region defined by its timbered ridges and rural hubs. The rail corridor is central to local life, with the Illinois Central and the Gulf Mobile and Ohio railroads intersecting at Cobden and passing through Alto Pass. These settlements served as vital shipping points for the surrounding hills, where smaller communities like Mountain Glen and Kaolin are established alongside a dense network of country institutions. The map preserves the locations of numerous family-named landmarks and essential social centers, including Jerusalem Church, Lyerle Chapel, and several local schools like Hambric School and Union Point School. From the high point at Bald Knob Lookout Tower to the banks of Hutchins Creek, the map details a post-war landscape of farming and forestry.