1954 Map of Freeburg

About this map

The rolling hills of Turkey Hill and the agricultural lands south of Belleville define this mid-century portrait of St. Clair County. The landscape is deeply influenced by the transport corridors of the Illinois Central and the Louisville and Nashville railroads, which helped sustain settlements like Freeburg, Smithton, and Wilderman. Extensive industrial activity is visible via a large Strip Mine located between these hubs, showing the region's historical reliance on coal extraction alongside farming. For those researching local lineages, the map is densely populated with community markers, including Holcomb Sch and a significant cluster of burial sites such as Smithton-Franklin Cem, B'Nai Rider Cem, and Walnut Hill Cem. The drainage patterns of Richland Creek and Sugar Creek provide a natural framework for the scattered farmsteads and rural townships of Smithton and Shiloh Valley during this era of post-war development.