1942 Map of Rattle Run

About this map

The Belle River meanders through this agricultural section of St. Clair County, anchoring a landscape defined by small rural hubs and a network of named drainage canals. Bell River Mills stands as a focal point in the southern region, while the small settlement of Rattle Run occupies the northwestern corner where Rattle Run Rd meets the water. The map reflects a meticulously organized rural society, with the density of one-room schoolhouses such as Kennedy Sch, Poplar Grove Sch, and Keves Sch indicating the distribution of local families across the townships of St. Clair and China. Near the eastern edge, the terrain transitions toward the developed outskirts of St Clair, where St Marys Cem is situated. This survey captures the region's drainage infrastructure, featuring numerous engineered waterways like Bowman Drain and Hurst Drain that were vital for local farming.