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1950 Map of Effingham

Name: 1950 Topographic Map of Effingham
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1964
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1964

About this map

Effingham serves as the central hub of this mid-century Illinois landscape, where the Pennsylvania and Illinois Central railroads intersect. The city is a node of transport and communication, featuring the Radio Tower WCRA, the County Airport, and a developed street grid. Beyond the city center, the terrain is defined by the Little Wabash River and its numerous tributaries, such as Salt Creek and Blue Point Creek, which carve through the agricultural townships.

Rural life is meticulously documented through a network of country schools and churches that served dispersed farming communities. One can trace historical footprints at the Ewington Cem near the river or at isolated landmarks like the Miller Chapel and Banner Sch. Small settlements such as Altamont, Watson, and Shumway maintain their own identities along the rail lines, while industrial activities are marked by a Gravel Pit and scattered Oil Tanks, reflecting the local resource economy of the 1950s.