1945 Map of St. Elmo

About this map

The Kaskaskia River winds diagonally through this mid-century landscape, carving a wide valley between the uplands of Loudon and Bowling Green townships. Industrial footprints are evident during this era of growth, most notably the Carter Refinery near the river and the Airway Beacon north of Saint Elmo. These modern markers contrast with a dense network of older rural institutions, including the Logue Sch, Crums Chapel, and Greenland Ch. The rail corridors of the Pennsylvania, New York Central, and Baltimore and Ohio railroads anchor the primary settlements, while smaller communities like Beecher City and Herrick serve the surrounding agricultural districts. Local landmarks like White Oak Mound and the Wren Bridge provide specific points of interest for those studying the physical and social geography of Fayette and Effingham counties.