2018 Map of Tilden

About this map

Sparta and Marissa anchor this 2018 survey of southwestern Illinois, where the confluence of St. Clair, Washington, and Randolph counties defines a landscape of agricultural tradition and industrial legacy. The infrastructure of the area is heavily influenced by the BNSF Railway, which cuts through Tilden and Clarmin, linking these small coal-country settlements to the larger region. The transition from industrial activity to local recreation is evident at the Marissa Recreation Association South Lake and the New City Reservoir, while the expansive Flat Prairie remains a dominant geographic feature east of the Marys River. Local history is preserved at sites like Hill Prairie Cem and Caledonia Cem, providing essential markers for genealogical research. The presence of both the Herschel Hunter Airport and Sparta Community Airport-Hunter Field underscores the region's role as a local aviation hub amid the surrounding farmland.