1970 Map of Mendenhall West

About this map

The Strong River meanders across this part of Simpson County, anchoring a landscape shaped by the Illinois Central railroad and the timber and agricultural needs of the mid-20th century. This survey documents the relationship between the river and the growing regional centers of D'Lo and Mendenhall, where the Mendenhall Municipal Airport and County Hospital stand as modern markers of development. South of these centers, the map reveals a traditional settlement pattern of small communities like Merit and Westville, each with its own local institutions.