2015 Map of Fancher

About this map

The Kaskaskia River meanders through this portion of Shelby County, creating a landscape defined by its deep bends and the numerous small tributaries like Robinson Cr and Howe Cr that feed into it. This 2015 survey highlights a dense concentration of local family and community history, evidenced by nearly twenty named burial grounds scattered across the terrain, including Mount Hermon Cem, Gallagher Chapel Cem, and Walker Cem. A notable landmark is the Thompson Mill Covered Bridge, which spans the river south of Askins Lake. The settlement patterns here remain tied to the river and the road network connecting Fancher, Clarksburg, and the outskirts of Cowden. These small communities and rural crossings, such as Moore Bridge and Copeland Bridge, illustrate a long-standing reliance on the river's path for local navigation and regional identity.