2015 Map of Thebes

About this map

The Mississippi River creates a dramatic boundary between the hills of Illinois and the lowlands of Missouri, centered on the riverfront town of Thebes. This area is defined by the sharp contrast between the dense, forested terrain of the Shawnee National Forest to the east and the agricultural plains near Commerce to the west. Several islands, including Rock Island and Powers Island, navigate the channel, while deep ravines like Black Powder Hollow and Dynamite Hollow reveal the industrial or military history tied to the riverside bluffs. Genealogists will find a high density of burial sites across the landscape, from the Rose Hill Cem in the north to the Thompson Cem near the southern bend. The map also records the small riverside settlements of Fayville and Gale, as well as the transition into the Santa Fe Hills, providing a clear view of the transportation and settlement patterns along this historic reach of the Great River.