1912 Map of Macomb

About this map

The Macomb area of west-central Illinois reveals a landscape defined by an extensive network of rural schools and early automotive-era transit routes. This 1912 survey, with cultural updates from the mid-20th century, highlights the importance of localized education through dozens of namesake institutions like Litchfield School, Coker School, and Hickory Grove School. The intersection of the Chicago Burlington and Quincy railroad and the Waubonsie Trail at Macomb illustrates the transition from rail-based commerce to the early highway system. South of the city, the terrain is cut by the La Moine River and its many tributaries, including Troublesome Creek and Grindstone Creek, where the land becomes more fragmented. Smaller settlements such as Industry and Bardolph serve as secondary hubs, while a Clay Mine north of the county seat points to the region's early industrial activity.