1980 Map of Natrona

About this map

The agricultural landscape of Allens Grove and Manito is defined by a sophisticated water management system and the legacy of early rural institutions. Situated along the boundary between Tazewell and Mason counties, this 1980 survey reveals a grid of drainage infrastructure including the Central Illinois Ditch, Day Ditch, and Main Ditch, which converted the prairie into productive farmland. Small settlements like Natrona, Allen, and Winkel anchor the region, supported by the Chicago and North Western railroad line. Local history is preserved in several scattered religious and burial sites, such as the Egypt Union Ch, St Pauls Ch, and the Allens Grove Cem. The presence of a Gravel Pit and the prominent Buxtom Hill provide the only significant interruptions to the flat topography of the central Illinois plains.