2017 Map of Willard

About this map

Willard serves as a central hub on this 2017 survey, located northwest of the expanding Springfield metropolitan area. The landscape is defined by the winding course of the Little Sac River in the northeast and several significant springs, including Brower Spring and Clear Creek Spring. The map documents a transition from established agricultural lands to suburban growth, evidenced by the dense grid of farm roads such as W Farm Rd 48 and Farm Rd 54 surrounding smaller settlements like Pearl and Ritter. Local history is preserved in several rural burial grounds, including Wesley Cem, Murray Cem, and the Cave Spring Memorial Church Cem near the Cave Spring community. Historic river crossings are well-documented, featuring several named bridges like Hackney Mill Bridge and Sneeds Bridge that once facilitated local commerce and travel across the river and its tributaries.