1916 Map of Shawneetown

About this map

Shawneetown stands prominently at a bend in the Ohio River, serving as a critical junction for commerce and travel long before modern bridge networks dominated the landscape. This 1916 survey captures a river-oriented economy defined by numerous river access points like Talbott Landing, Sellers Landing, and Clarks Ferry. Inland, the landscape is dotted with coal mining operations and small settlements such as Saline Mines and De Koven, the latter serviced by the Illinois Central railroad. The abundance of named rural institutions, including the Saline Mines School and Mt Zion Church, indicates a well-established community structure amidst the bottomlands and hills. The intricate network of waterways like Cypress Slough and Goose Pond illustrates the complex drainage of the Ohio valley, which dictated the placement of roads and the Louisville and Nashville rail line.