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1933 Map of Lacon

Name: 1933 Topographic Map of Lacon
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1953
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1953

About this map

The Illinois River dominates this mid-century landscape, flanked by a complex system of backwater lakes and sloughs including Goose Lake, Sawmill Lake, and Billsbach Lake. These waters separate the eastern uplands of Magnolia and Hennepin from the western bluffs and plains. The river-and-rail economy is evident in the alignment of the Chicago Rock Island and Pacific railroad, which services the valley floor and connects settlements like Henry, Sparland, and Lacon.

Rural infrastructure is exceptionally detailed, recording the distribution of one-room schoolhouses such as Brush College Sch and Sugar Grove Sch alongside landmarks like the Whitefield Town Hall. For those researching family history, the map identifies numerous local cemeteries and country churches, including St Joseph Cem and Salem Ch, providing a clear view of the social fabric and land use patterns before later agricultural and industrial changes altered the area.