1909 Map of Tallula

About this map

The Sangamon River meanders through the northeastern corner of this Central Illinois landscape, carved by an intricate network of waterways including Rock Creek, Richland Creek, and Spring Creek. At the dawn of the 20th century, the region was defined by its robust railroad infrastructure, with several major lines intersecting the prairie. The Chicago and Alton RR serves the town of Tallula, while the Baltimore and Ohio Southwestern RR provides a critical link for settlements like Pleasant Plains and Farmingdale. This era shows a transition from rural crossroads to established rail-dependent communities. Smaller locales such as Lloyd, Salisbury, and Berlin are surrounded by a landscape divided into townships like Cartwright and Island Grove, reflecting the early administrative and social organization of Menard and Sangamon counties.