1921 Map of Fords Ferry

About this map

Marion serves as the focal point of this 1921 survey, situated at the junction of the Illinois Central railroad and major regional thoroughfares like the Princeton Road. This document captures the agrarian and riverine landscape of northern Crittenden County before major modern developments, showing a dense network of one-room schoolhouses and country churches that anchored early 20th-century life. Along the Ohio River, several significant islands including Cave In Rock Island and Hurricane Island are charted alongside the namesake Fords Ferry School. The interior is characterized by complex drainages like Crooked Creek and Hurricane Creek, punctuated by natural landmarks such as The Sinks and Crittenden Spring. Genealogists will find wealth in the dozens of named schools, such as Post Oak School and Lily Dale School, which map the social geography of vanished rural districts.