1973 Map of Shields

About this map

Orchardville Oil Field and numerous oil wells dominate the northern landscape of this Wayne County survey, illustrating the petroleum-based economy that shaped this corner of Illinois. The terrain is defined by the winding course of Skillet Fork, where historical crossings like Garrison Bridge and Greathouse Ford connected rural farming communities. Small settlements and local landmarks reveal a deeply rooted social structure, centered around places like Shields, Keenesville, and Stratton. Genealogists will find a wealth of family-named sites, including the McConaughhay Cem and Atteberry Cem, alongside rural congregations such as Ten Foot Oak Ch and Garrison Temple. The Illinois Central Gulf railroad cuts a straight north-south path through the center of the sheet, providing a stark contrast to the meandering waters of Paddy Creek and Possum Creek that drain the timbered bottomlands.