1983 Map of Gardner

About this map

Mine Dumps and extensive strip-mined landscapes define the eastern half of this Grundy County area, illustrating the heavy industrial legacy of the Illinois coal fields. These scarred terrains contrast sharply with the rectilinear agricultural grid that dominates Maine and Garfield townships to the west. The Illinois Central Gulf railroad serves as the primary spine of the region, connecting the residential centers of Gardner, Braceville, and South Wilmington. Smaller communities like Central City and East Brooklyn sit at the edges of these excavated zones. The natural hydrology is still visible through the winding course of the Mazon River and the East Fork Mazon River, which navigate between the mines and the farm roads. Local landmarks like Cotton Cem and the Matteson Landing Strip provide specific points of interest for genealogists and local historians tracking the development of these prairie settlements.