1944 Map of Elmwood

About this map

The Spoon River winds through the northern portion of this landscape, carving a valley that defines the local topography between West Jersey and Princeville. During the mid-1940s, this region of Illinois was characterized by a dense network of rural schoolhouses and family-named landmarks, reflecting a community structure built around agriculture and rail transport. Significant transportation corridors like the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe and the Chicago Burlington and Quincy railroads facilitated movement between settlements such as Elmwood, Brimfield, and Monica. Central to the cultural landscape is Jubilee College State Park, situated amidst the undulating terrain near Kickapoo Creek. Researchers will find a wealth of genealogical data in the numerous country schools, including Paradise Chapel Sch and Golden Rule Sch, along with established burying grounds like Calvary Cem and Southport Cem.