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1942 Map of Delavan

Name: 1942 Topographic Map of Delavan
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1942
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1942

About this map

Delavan serves as the central hub of this agricultural and rail-oriented landscape, where the Illinois Central, Alton, and Chicago and Northwestern railroads converge to move goods across Central Illinois. The terrain is defined by the winding course of the Mackinaw River in the north and an extensive system of drainage infrastructure, such as the Main Ditch and Allen Grove Ditch, which converted the natural wetlands and Sand Prairie into productive farmland.

Genealogists will find a dense network of local landmarks, including the Sand Prairie Ch, Malone Ch, and St Lukes Ch, alongside dozens of named country schoolhouses like Oak Hill Sch and Prairie Lawn Sch. The map preserves the locations of smaller rail stops and crossroads such as Herget, Malone, and South Pekin, reflecting the rural community structure before modern consolidation. Detailed boundary lines also mark the intersection of Tazewell, Mason, and Logan counties near San Jose.