1949 Map of Stewardson

About this map

The Kaskaskia River and Little Wabash River dominate the drainage of this central Illinois landscape, where the New York Chicago and St Louis and Central Illinois railroads intersect the grid of farming townships. This 1949 survey documents a deeply rooted rural society centered around Stewardson, Strasburg, and Windsor. The map reveals a dense network of country institutions, including family-named landmarks like the Rincker Cem and Bruce Cem, alongside numerous local schools such as Wabash Sch and Hiatt Sch. Several oil wells are noted in Richland and Ash Grove townships, indicating the mid-century energy development that supplemented the region's agricultural base. Smaller rail stops like Trowbridge and Gays provide a look at the commercial transport points that once served these dispersed neighborhoods.