2021 Map of Makanda

About this map

Makanda and Cobden anchor this 2021 study of the southern Illinois landscape, where the northern reaches of the Shawnee National Forest meet the southern edge of the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge. The map provides a detailed view of the rural transition from the rugged highlands of Tiptop Knob down to the southern drainage basins of the Cache River. Dozens of family-named cemeteries and landmarks are preserved here, including Evergreen Cem, Walker Cem, and Sitter Cem, offering clear coordinates for genealogists tracing local lineage. The road network, including Old US Hwy 51 and the winding Water Valley Rd, highlights the complex topography that has historically defined settlement patterns in this part of Union and Jackson Counties.