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2015 Map of New Athens West

Name: 2015 Topographic Map of New Athens West
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2015
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2015

About this map

The Kaskaskia River meanders through the eastern portion of this landscape, creating a complex hydrologic network of oxbows and backwaters like Halfmoon Lake, Stubblefield Lake, and White Cabin Slough. This fluvial environment contrasts with the steady agricultural development surrounding the settlements of Smithton, Hecker, and New Athens. The map reveals a dense concentration of family-named burial grounds, including the Maurer Cem, Wiskamp Cem, and Darmstatter Cem, which serve as vital markers for local genealogical research.

Infrastructure like the Smith RLA Airport and a grid of secondary roads such as Robinson School Rd and Klein School Rd illustrate the modern rural character of the St. Clair and Monroe county line. The terrain transitions from the low-lying Wirth Island and Round Pond areas to higher ground at Belcher Ridge and Tamara Ridge, providing a clear view of how land use and settlement patterns have been shaped by the river's path and the regional drainage of Richland Cr.