1983 Map of Southeast Pontiac

About this map

The Vermilion River snakes through this Central Illinois landscape, anchoring a series of small agricultural settlements and rural landmarks in the early 1980s. While the city of Pontiac and the town of Fairbury bookend the corners of the sheet, the interior is defined by smaller communities like McDowell, Lodemia, and Champlin. A notable density of private aviation infrastructure characterizes the era, with the Riverode Farms Landing Strip, Ziller Landing Strip, and Pick Landing Strip scattered across the township grid. For genealogists, the map preserves the locations of several smaller burial grounds, including Houder Cem, Patty Cem, and Avoca Cem. The presence of a large Quarry and Chautauqua Park suggests the dual industrial and recreational uses of the river valley during this period of Livingston County history.