1957 Map of Potomac

About this map

The Middle Fork Vermilion River and its numerous tributaries, including Bluegrass Creek and Whisky Creek, define the rural landscape of this east-central Illinois region. In the late 1950s, the area remained a network of small agricultural settlements and crossroads connected by the New York Chicago and St Louis and Illinois Central railroads. Several small communities such as Potomac, Rankin, and Penfield anchor the townships, while the hinterlands are dotted with markers of early pioneer settlement. Genealogists will find a high density of family and parish burial grounds, including Tomlinson Cem, Partlow Cem, and St Lawrence Cem. The presence of an abandoned Science Hill Sch and numerous country churches like Wallace Chapel reflects the shifting population centers of the mid-20th century. River crossings like Selsor Ford and Grey Ford underscore the era's persistent connection to the natural hydrology before modern bridge infrastructure dominated.