1998 Map of Union Center

About this map

Union Center and Maple Point anchor this rural landscape in Cumberland County, where the transition from agriculture to energy extraction is evident. The landscape is heavily marked by industrial activity, specifically across Wolf Field, which is dotted with numerous oil wells and drill holes. This infrastructure suggests a long-standing reliance on subterranean resources, a common theme in the Illinois Basin during this period. Local transportation is defined by a mix of modern transit and historical remnants, including the Old RR Grade and several utility landmarks like the Ruffner Comm Tower and the Gaging Station. Drainage is provided by a network of waterways including Hurricane Creek, Ranger Creek, and Birch Creek, which eventually feed into the larger Crooked Creek to the south. These features reveal a community organized around its natural drainage patterns and the technical requirements of the oil industry.