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1944 Map of Quincy

Name: 1944 Topographic Map of Quincy
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1954
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1954

About this map

The industrial and riverfront character of Quincy dominates this mid-century survey, showing the city's complex relationship with the Mississippi River. On the Illinois side, a dense network of country schools like St Ludgerus School and Hickory Grove School serves the rural townships of Ellington and Melrose. The river plain is a labyrinth of chutes, islands, and backwater lakes, including Turtle Shell Lake and Big Lake, with the Chicago Burlington and Quincy RR providing the primary transportation spine through the valley.

South of the city, the landscape transitions toward Marblehead and its industrial Distillery, while the Missouri side features the planned drainage of the Durgen Creek Diversion Ditch. Notable for genealogists are the numerous rural landmarks, from the Soldiers Home to Zion Church, and early riverside sites such as Marion City. The map documents a period before modern interstate development, when local life was anchored by parish schools and the Mill on Hollow Creek.