2012 Map of Shirland

About this map

The confluence of the Sugar River and the Pecatonica River defines the landscape of this Winnebago County quadrangle. Centered on the unincorporated communities of Shirland and Harrison, the area maintains a rural character dominated by agricultural fields and winding watercourses. The drainage patterns are intricate, with Timothy Cr, Rhule Cr, and Tunnison Cr feeding into the larger river systems. A distinct local history is preserved through the numerous burial sites across the township, including Shirland Cem, Harrison Cem, and the more remote Phillips Cem. Aviation is surprisingly prominent in the local geography, as evidenced by several private facilities like Koch Airport, Darrington Airport, and Severson Airport scattered among the farms. The map also traces a network of family-named roads such as Hauley Rd and Boswell Rd, which have long anchored the local settlement pattern in northern Illinois near the Wisconsin border.