1936 Map of Herrin

About this map

The Little Muddy River and Big Muddy River define the winding, water-rich landscape of this Southern Illinois coal region during the 1930s. The map illustrates a dense network of industrial rail lines, including the Illinois Central and the Coal Belt, which connected the burgeoning towns of Herrin, Christopher, and Zeigler to the surrounding collieries. Beyond the industrial centers, the map documents a transition from old agrarian roots to the mining era, visible in the persistence of family-named landmarks such as Rodgers School and Crawford School. This specific 1936 revision preserves a detailed view of social infrastructure, locating numerous country schools like Arkansas School and Fourmile School, as well as rural outposts like Reeves P O and Old Duquoin before the landscape was reshaped by mid-century development.