2021 Map of Pearl East

About this map

Pearl and Grand Pass anchor the western edge of this survey, where the river valley landscape meets the bluffs of Pike County. The geography is defined by the shifting course of the Illinois River, which separates the lowland bottomlands and islands like Weson Island and Bridge Island from the undulating terrain to the east. The map reveals an intricate drainage system including Hurricane Cr, Apple Creek, and Crooked Cr, which feed the river and historically dictated the placement of agricultural efforts like the McClay Orchard. A network of rural cemeteries, such as Shelton Cem and Bluefield Cem, are tucked away in the hollows and upland ridges, offering specific points of interest for genealogists tracing local families near Hillview. The inclusion of the Hartwell Ranch RLA Airport and Hartwell Ranch indicates the ongoing intersection of private land use and rural transportation in this corridor.