1970 Map of Mendenhall West

About this map

The Strong River snakes through the heart of Simpson County, defining a landscape of riparian lowlands and rising hills in the early 1970s. The region is anchored by Mendenhall, the county seat, and the nearby town of D'Lo, both situated along the Illinois Central railroad corridor. This transportation spine facilitated the local economy, connecting smaller communities like Merit and Pinola to larger markets. Away from the main rail line, the map reveals a rural social geography centered on places like Westville and the historic Bishop Cem. The terrain is deeply etched by numerous tributaries including Sanders Creek and Needham Creek, while local infrastructure is marked by scattered resource extraction at various Gravel Pit sites and the Mendenhall Municipal Airport.