2021 Map of Meredosia

About this map

Meredosia Lake and its intricate network of side-channels and backwaters dominate this survey of the Illinois River valley. The map reveals a landscape shaped by water and flood control, featuring various levees like the Skinner Levee Trl and Shearl Levee Trl that protect the low-lying agricultural ground. In the town of Meredosia, the street grid remains clustered near the riverbank, while smaller settlements like Naples sit further south along the river's bend. The area is dotted with numerous family and community burial grounds, including Oakland Cem and the more remote Hodges Cem, providing valuable touchstones for local genealogists. Between the river and the bluffs, diverse water bodies such as Barlow Lake, Scuppernong Pond, and Smith Lake illustrate the complex hydrology of the valley floor.