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1936 Map of Oakland

Name: 1936 Topographic Map of Oakland
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1983
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1983

About this map

The Embarrass River winds through this central Illinois landscape, serving as a geographic anchor for numerous rural communities across Douglas and Coles counties during the mid-1930s. The settlement of Oakland sits near Lake Oakland, while the Pennsylvania railroad corridor links the villages of Hindsboro, Kemp, and Filson. This era is defined by an incredibly dense network of country schools, including uniquely named institutions like Contrary Sch, Egypt Sch, and Martin Box Sch.

Genealogists will find significant value in the distribution of family-named landmarks and resting places, such as the St Omer Cem and Patsy Mitchell Cem. The transition from river fords to permanent crossings is visible at Boyd Ford, Barnett Bridge, and the Airtight Bridge. Near the southern edge, the map captures the outskirts of Charleston and the Old Salem Ch, providing a detailed view of the region's agricultural and spiritual foundations before post-war modernization altered the rural school district layout.