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1980 Map of Meredosia

Name: 1980 Topographic Map of Meredosia
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1981
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1981

About this map

The Illinois River dominates this landscape at the intersection of Morgan, Pike, Scott, and Brown counties, where a complex network of levees and backwater lakes defines the river valley. The river’s path is flanked by expansive islands including Wilsons Island and Eagle Island, which form the core of the Meredosia National Wildlife Refuge. This environment supported a specialized river economy, evidenced by the numerous sandpits and settling ponds located near the town of Meredosia.

Railroad infrastructure is represented by the Norfolk and Western line, which cuts across the floodplains toward the settlements of Bluffs and Naples. Genealogists will find several burial grounds across the varied terrain, from Oakland Cem near the village center to more remote sites like McCaleb Cem and Hodges Cem situated in the bluffs and hillsides to the east. The map captures the balance between industrial utility, such as the Pumping Station and sewage ponds, and the preservation of the riparian ecosystem.