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1930 Map of Hardin

Name: 1930 Topographic Map of Hardin
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1930
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1930

About this map

Hardin sits at the narrowest point of the peninsula between the Illinois-River and the Mississippi River, anchoring a landscape defined by seasonal sloughs and river landings. In the late 1920s, this region was a network of small school districts and landing points like Burr Oak Ldg and Gilead Ldg, reflecting a river-oriented economy before the widespread modernization of upland transit. The interior is dotted with local landmarks such as Poor Farm and the Gilead Gun Club, while numerous country schools like Pecan Grove Sch and De Gerlia Sch served the scattered agricultural communities of Batchtown and Hamburg.

The complex hydrology of the river bottomlands is remarkably detailed, showing the intricate system of chutes and islands including Westport Island and Kelly I. On the eastern side of the Illinois River, the terrain transitions into the steep bluffs of Woodville and Richwood, where the Alton And Chicago Highway follows the base of the hills. This era captures the area just as aerial photography began to supplement ground surveys, providing a precise record of vanished family-named landmarks like McKinley Sch and Teneriffe Sch.