1953 Map of Edgington

Away from the water, the terrain transitions into a grid of rural schoolhouses and churches that anchored mid-century agrarian life. Settlements like Edgington and Illinois City are surrounded by landmarks such as North Buffalo Prairie Sch and Providence Ch. Large protected areas, including Wildcat Den State Park and Loud Thunder Forest Preserve, preserve the bluffs overlooking the river valley, while specialized sites like Camp Abe Lincoln and the Landing Field near Edgington indicate the varied land use of the early 1950s.