2018 Map of Elsah

About this map

Principia College occupies the dramatic limestone bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River, a defining feature of this borderland between Illinois and Missouri. The terrain is deeply incised by drainages like Mill Cr and Askeu Br, which cut through the uplands toward the river valley. On the Missouri side, the floodplain between the Mississippi and the Missouri River is characterized by low-lying islands and sloughs, including Pelican Island and Brick House Slough. This area is a critical junction of major waterways, where the historic settlement of Portage Des Sioux sits across the water from the village of Elsah. Local genealogy is well-represented through several burial sites, such as Elsah Cem and Saint Michaels Cem, alongside small rural hubs like Beltrees and Lockhaven. The map details the transition from the rugged river bluffs to the flat, fertile bottoms near West Alton and Machens.