1961 Map of Harrisburg

About this map

The city of Harrisburg serves as the focal point of this Saline County study, revealing a bustling regional hub centered on its Courthouse and the New York Central rail lines. The landscape is defined by the industrial footprint of the Southern Illinois coalfields, characterized by the Sahara Mine No 16 and extensive Strip Mine operations that flank the established settlements. To the south, the terrain transitions into the protected woodlands of the Shawnee National Forest, where the South Fork Saline River meanders toward the Old Channel. This 1961 field check captures a period of transition where traditional rural landmarks, such as Cain Sch and Mt Pleasant Cem, persist alongside modern developments like the Drive-in Theater in Pankeyville and the Radio Tower (WSIL-TV), illustrating the post-war evolution of the Illinois coal belt.