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1949 Map of Paxton

Name: 1949 Topographic Map of Paxton
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1949
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1949

About this map

The agricultural heart of Ford and Champaign counties is defined by a dense grid of rural schools and the bustling junctions of the Illinois Central and the New York Chicago and St Louis railroads. This 1920s survey depicts the transition of Central Illinois into a sophisticated transportation and military hub. Paxton serves as a primary rail center, while to the south, the expansive Chanute Flying Field near Rantoul marks a significant military presence in the prairie landscape.

Genealogists will find a wealth of local landmarks, from family-named country schools like Kemp, Moffett, and Thrasher to established burial grounds including Glen Cemetery and Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. The drainage of the land is meticulously documented along the Vermilion River and Wildcat Slough, illustrating the extensive ditching systems required to maintain the region's productive farmland during this era of early aviation and industrial growth.