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1916 Map of Shawneetown

Name: 1916 Topographic Map of Shawneetown
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1916
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1916

About this map

Shawneetown sits as a vital river hub where the Ohio River forms the winding border between Illinois and Kentucky. This era of the mid-1910s reveals a landscape defined by its reliance on water and rail transport, featuring numerous river landings such as Talbott Landing and Sellers Landing. The interior is dotted with rural infrastructure, including a high density of country schools like Gum Springs School and McCoy School, which served the farming and mining communities of the early 20th century.

Industrial activity is anchored by the Saline Mines and coal operations along the Kentucky Coal and Railway near Caseyville. The confluence of the Saline River and the Ohio created a complex network of sloughs and lakes, including State Lake and Geiger Lake, while landmarks like Anvil Rock and the prominent Gold Hill provide significant topographic relief. Navigation across the rivers remained dependent on local crossings like Saline Rocks Ferry and Talley Ferry.