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1985 Map of Decatur

Name: 1985 Topographic Map of Decatur
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1985
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1985

About this map

Decatur and its surrounding agricultural plains in central Illinois are defined by an intricate network of river systems and heavy rail infrastructure in this mid-1980s planimetric study. The city itself sits at the heart of a railroad hub where the Norfolk and Western RR and Illinois Central Gulf RR intersect near Lake Decatur. Beyond the urban core, the landscape transitions into a series of smaller farming settlements like Cerro Gordo, Bement, and Atwood, connected by the Baltimore and Ohio RR.

Preservation of the natural landscape is evident in large tracts such as Robert Allerton Park along the Sangamon River and several state parks bordering significant waterways. The southern portion of the map is dominated by the sprawling reaches of Shelbyville Lake, while an Oil Field and various Quarries indicate the area's industrial reliance on natural resources during this era. The map also captures the University of Illinois presence and the municipal infrastructure including the Municipal Airport.