1964 Map of Sheldon

About this map

Sheldon and Iroquois anchor this agricultural landscape along the state line, where the prairie is defined by an extensive drainage network and the convergence of major rail lines. The Chicago Milwaukee St Paul and Pacific and the Toledo Peoria and Western railroads intersect near the center of the survey, marking the area’s importance as a transportation corridor. Flowing through the center, the Iroquois River is supported by a system of man-made channels such as Baird Ditch and Eastburn Ditch No 1, which facilitated the cultivation of the fertile flatlands. Local history is preserved in several small landmarks, including the Morris Chapel and multiple family-named burial sites like Gaffield Cem and Liberty Cem. The eastern edge of the map highlights the border with Indiana, where the village of Effner sits directly on the boundary line.