2021 Map of Joy

About this map

Mississippi River backwaters and the winding course of the Edwards River dominate this western Illinois landscape along the border with Iowa. The terrain transitions from the low-lying wetlands of Corsepius Island and Fuller Slough to the higher agricultural plains where the village of Joy and the settlement of Mannon are situated. This area reflects a long-established rural layout, with a dense network of country roads like Burger Bluff Rd and Sawmill Rd connecting disparate farmsteads. Local history is anchored by several burial grounds, including Mannon Cem and Shields Cem in the north, and Davis Cem near the Mad River in the south. The complex hydrology of the region is evident in the numerous small waterways such as Winters Cr, Big Chief Run, and Pope Cr that drain the fertile Mercer County soil.