1963 Map of Thompsonville

About this map

The Illinois Central railroad anchors this survey of eastern Franklin County, tracing a diagonal path through the small settlements of Hanaford, Parrish, and Thompsonville. This period in Southern Illinois history is marked by a landscape transitioning between established agricultural roots and industrial extraction. The presence of the Orient No 5 Mine near the Big Muddy River and numerous oil wells scattered across the Eastern township indicate the region's reliance on mineral wealth. Genealogy researchers will find significant data in the numerous family-named landmarks and cemeteries, such as Swofford Cem, Smothers Cem, and Baxter Cem. The water geography is dominated by the West Frankfort Reservoir and West Frankfort City Lake in the southern sections, while northern reaches like Bessie are defined by the winding Bessie Creek and Middle Fork. Small country congregations like Antioch Ch and Knob Prairie Ch remain central to these rural communities during the early 1960s.