2018 Map of Gardner

About this map

Gardner sits at the center of this Grundy County landscape, where the prairie grid is interrupted by the diagonal paths of modern transport and the winding course of the Mazon River. The map documents a cluster of tightly spaced settlements including South Wilmington, East Brooklyn, and Braceville, which reflect the historic density of the local coal mining region. Near the northeastern corner, Central City and Godley border the edge of a landscape heavily shaped by industrial activity and waterway management, visible in the complex drainage patterns of Mazonia. Water management remains a defining characteristic of the area, with the West Fork Mazon River and East Fork Mazon River converging nearby, while smaller tributaries like Gooseberry Cr and Reddick Run drain the surrounding agricultural tracts. Local history is anchored by landmarks such as the Cotton Cem, situated just north of the Braceville town site.