2012 Map of Elsah

About this map

The Mississippi River and Missouri River converge along this stretch of the river valley, shaping a complex landscape of islands and shifting bars. The historic riverfront village of Elsah remains a focal point on the Illinois side, characterized by its position near Principia College. Across the water in Missouri, the community of Portage Des Sioux sits on the narrow peninsula between the two great rivers, surrounded by agricultural tracts and landmarks like Whitecorn and Machens. Numerous family and parish cemeteries, including Wendle Cem, Saint Michaels Cem, and Saint Francis Cem, are scattered across the bluffs, offering a dense record of the region’s local heritage. The interior terrain is dissected by waterways like Piasa Cr and Mill Cr, which create the deep ravines that define the local geography north of Clifton Terrace and Lockhaven.