1939 Map of Harrisburg

About this map

The rail-driven landscape of southern Illinois is prominently displayed in this 1930s-era revision, centered on the coal and agriculture hubs of Harrisburg and Carrier Mills. This area showcases a dense network of local education and faith, with dozens of rural schoolhouses such as Shelton School and Pierson School and country churches like Salem Church and Zion Church serving the dispersed farming population. Industrial activity is anchored by the Wasson Mine No 2, while the Illinois Central and Cleveland Cincinnati Chicago and St Louis railroads dictate the development of towns like Stonefort and Ledford. To the south, the terrain shifts from the developed river valleys of the Middle Fork Saline River and South Fork Saline River toward the more broken country of the Shawnee Hills, marked by landmarks such as Murray Bluff and Burden Falls.