2015 Map of Mermet

About this map

Mermet Lake and the surrounding wetlands of southern Illinois dominate the southern portion of this landscape, where an intricate network of drainage channels like New Columbia Ditch and Bear Cr Ditch manage the low-lying terrain. The transition from the alluvial flats to the northern uplands is marked by prominent natural landmarks, including Footprint Rock and Cagle Bluff. This area, spanning the Johnson and Massac county line, is characterized by a high density of small family and community burial grounds, such as Nineveh Cem, Shiloh Cem, and Massonic Cem, which are scattered among historic settlements like Ganntown and New Columbia. The map reveals a rural economy deeply tied to the land's hydrology, with numerous named ditches and ponds supporting the small unincorporated communities and crossroad settlements like Samoth and Grinnell connected by a web of local routes like Indian Point Rd.