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1950 Map of Morgantown

Name: 1950 Topographic Map of Morgantown
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1950
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1950

About this map

Morgantown anchors the northern portion of this 1950 survey, serving as a vital intersection point for the Illinois Central railroad. This transportation corridor dictates the settlement pattern, as the tracks follow the winding path of Bean Blossom Creek through the southern hills. Deep within the heavily wooded Yellowwood State Forest, the landscape is defined by high ridges like Carmel Ridge and Dunnaway Ridge, where small rural churches such as Ritter Chapel and Oak Ridge Ch stand as community landmarks.

Genealogists and local historians can trace the early mid-century footprints of small hamlets including Helmsburg, Trevlac, and Needmore. The map records a transition from the structured agriculture found near Mahalasville to the protected woodlands of the state forest. Noted features like the Bear Creek Cem and Bear Creek Lake provide precise locations for family history research and environmental study in the rugged hills south of the Morgan-Brown county line.