1961 Map of Decatur

About this map

Springfield and Decatur anchor this mid-century look at the Central Illinois prairie, a landscape defined by an exceptionally dense network of industrial and agricultural transportation. By the late 1950s, the region's rail-and-river economy remained in high relief, with the Wabash RR and Illinois Central RR cutting across the fertile plains to connect grain hubs like Taylorville, Pana, and Sullivan. The map captures the hydrological character of the area through the winding courses of the Sangamon River and Kaskaskia River, alongside major reservoirs including Lake Decatur and Lake Springfield. This era shows the transition toward modern automotive travel, as major routes like Us 66 and Us 51 intersect the older rail corridors. From the coal-mining towns of Macoupin County like Gillespie and Staunton to the industrial centers of Mattoon and Charleston, the sheet provides a comprehensive record of the region's mid-century physical and economic geography.