2018 Map of Columbia

About this map

Columbia serves as the focal point of this region south of East St. Louis, where the upland bluffs transition into the fertile American Bottoms. The landscape is a complex network of family-named roads and drainage features like Hill Lake Cr and Wilson Cr. Of particular interest to genealogists is the high density of small family or church burial grounds, including Lark Cem, Kleinschmidt Cem, and Baltz Cem, scattered among the rural townships. Industrial activity is represented by the Columbia Quarry Rd and the Illinois Central Gulf railroad, which cuts a diagonal path through the terrain. The map also documents aviation sites like Sackman Field and the Riebeling Airport on the eastern edge, alongside small settlements such as Millstadt Junction and Bluffside.