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1963 Map of West Frankfort

Name: 1963 Topographic Map of West Frankfort
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1966
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1966

About this map

West Frankfort and Benton anchor this mid-1960s study of the Southern Illinois coal belt, revealing a landscape defined by industrial extraction and rural settlement. The map documents an extensive rail network supporting the coal industry, including the Missouri Pacific and the Chicago and Eastern Illinois lines. Notable operations like the Orient No 5 Mine and the Freeman No 4 Mine are clearly marked, alongside numerous strip mines and air shafts that dot the townships.

Beyond the industrial sites, the map is a deep resource for local genealogy, recording dozens of family burial grounds and country congregations such as Webster Cem, Joplin Cem, and Bethel Ch. Small communities like Hanaford (Logan PO), White Ash, and the curiously named Dog Walk provide a window into the social geography of Franklin and Williamson counties during this era of transitioning energy production.