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1957 Map of Wilber

Name: 1957 Topographic Map of Wilber
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1958
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1958

About this map

The Big Blue River meanders through the heart of this Saline County landscape, defining the topography around the communities of Wilber and De Witt. During the late 1950s, this region remained a vital intersection of rail and river commerce, served by the Chicago Burlington and Quincy and the Chicago Rock Island and Pacific railroads. The grid of Wilber shows the town's established structure as a local hub, while the surrounding countryside is dotted with numerous rural schools and community landmarks.

Genealogists will find significant value in the distribution of local burial grounds, including the Cecho Slovansky Cem, Sunny Side Cem, and Oak Grove Cem. The map also captures a period of transition in education, noting several numbered schoolhouses alongside named institutions like Happy Hollow Sch and the Nicholas Sch (Abandoned). The presence of a Landing Field near Wilber and a Gravel Pit along the river highlights the diverse land use in this mid-century agricultural corridor.