DOCSLIB.ORG

(Formations and Groups) of the Pennsylvanian System

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
(Formations and Groups) of the Pennsylvanian System Illinois State Geological Survey Indiana Geological Survey Kentucky Geological Survey C V c KY. pId j--------- i- Illinois State Geological Survey Natural Resources Building 615 East Peabody Drive Champaign, IL 61820-6964 (217) 333-4747 Indiana Geological Survey ICentucky Geological Survey Please use the following citation when referencing this publication: Tri-State Committee on Correlation of the Pennsylvanian System in the Illinois Basin, 2001, Toward a More Uniform Stratigraphic Nomenclature for Rock Units (Formations and Groups) of the Pennsylvanian System in the Illinois Basin: Illinois Basin Consortium Study 5, Joint publication of the Illinois State Geological Survey, Indiana Geological Survey, and Kentucky Geological Survey, 26 p., 1 plate. Illinois Basin Consortium Study 5 A Joint Project of the tate Geological Indiana Geological Kentucky Geologic Abstract ............................................................................................................................................................. 1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................................... 1 New Nomenclature for Formations and Groups of the Pennsylvanian System ............................................... 1 Raccoon Creek Group ....................................................................................................................................... 3 Definition and Justification ......................................................................................................................... 3 Historical Perspective ................................................................................................................................... 3 Caseyville Formation ..................................................................................................................................... 4 Definition and Justification .......................................................................................................................... 4 Historical Perspective ..................................... ... ........................................................................................ 4 Formation Boundaries ................................................................................................................................ 4 Thickness and Extent ................................................................................................................................ 5 Lithological Characteristics ........................................................................................................................ -6 Future Considerations .................................................................................................................................. 6 Tradewater Formation ..................................................................................................................................... 6 Definition and Justification ........................................................................................................................ 6 Historical Perspective ................................................................................................................................... 7 Formation Boundaries .................................................................................................................................. 7 Thickness and Extent ...................................................................................................................................7 Lithological Characteristics ......................................................................................................................... 8 Future Considerations ................................................................................................................................. 8 . Mansfield Formation (Indiana) ...................................................................................................................8 Brazil Formation (Indiana) ...............................................................................................................................9 Staunton Formation (Indiana) ........................................................................................................................ 9 Carbondale Group/Fomation ........................................................................................................................... 9 Definition and Justification ...................................................................................................................... 9 Historical Perspective .............................................................................................................................. 10 Boundaries .................................................................................................................................................11 Thickness and Extent .................................................................................................................................12 Lithological Characteristics .................................................................................................................12 Future Considerations ................................................................................................................................13 Linton Formation (Indiana) ............................................................................................................................ 13 tersburg Formation (Indiana) .................................................................................................................... 13 ugger Formation (Indiana) ...........................................................................................................................13 cleansboro Group ....................... .. ........................................................................................................ 13 Definition and Justification ....................................................................................................................... 13 Historical Perspective ................................................................................................................................ 14 helburn Formation ........................................................................................................................................15 Definition and Justification ...................................................................................................................... 15 Historical Perspective ................................................................................................................................. 15 Formation Boundaries ................................................................................................................................ 16 Thickness and Extent .................................................................................................................................1 Lithological Characteristics ..................................................................................................................... 16 Future Considerations ................................................................................................................................ 17 Patoka Formation ............................................................................................................................................17 Definition and Justification ........................................................................................................................ 17 Historical Perspective .................................................................................................................................17 Formation Boundaries ................................................................................................................................ 17 Thickness and Extent ................................................................................................................................ 17 Lithological Characteristics ...................................................................................................................... 18 Future Considerations .................................................................................................................. 18 Bond Formation .............................................................................................................................................. 18 Definition and Justification ........................................................................................................................ 18 Historical Perspective ................................................................................................................................. 18 Formation Boundaries ................................................................................................................................ 19 Thickness and Extent ................................................................................................................................. 19 Lithological Characteristics ....................................................................................................................... 19 Future Considerations ...............................................................................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Coal and Francis Creek Shale
    University of Pennsylvania ScholarlyCommons Department of Earth and Environmental Departmental Papers (EES) Science January 1970 A comparison of the floras of the Colchester (No. 2) Coal and Francis Creek Shale R. A. Peppers Illinois State Geological Survey Hermann W. Pfefferkorn University of Pennsylvania, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://repository.upenn.edu/ees_papers Recommended Citation Peppers, R. A., & Pfefferkorn, H. W. (1970). A comparison of the floras of the Colchester (No. 2) Coal and Francis Creek Shale. Retrieved from https://repository.upenn.edu/ees_papers/18 This material has been published in Smith, W.H., Nance, R.B., Hopkins, Johnson, R.G., and Shabica, C.W. Depositional environments in parts of the Carbondale formation, western and northern Illinois: Francis Creek Shale and associated strata and Mazon Creek biota, Illinois State Geological Survey Field Guidebook Series, No. 8, p. 61-74, 1970 NOTE: At the time of publication, author Hermann W. Pfefferkorn was affiliated with the Illinois State Geological Survey. Currently (September 2005) he is a faculty member in the Department of Earth and Environmental Science at the University of Pennsylvania. This paper is posted at ScholarlyCommons. https://repository.upenn.edu/ees_papers/18 For more information, please contact [email protected]. A comparison of the floras of the Colchester (No. 2) Coal and Francis Creek Shale Abstract Abundant data from spore studies of the Colchester (no. 2) Coal Member and from investigations of plant compressions in the Francis Creek Shale provide an opportunity to compare the flora of the coal with that of the overlying shale in the northeastern part of the Illinois Basin.
    [Show full text]
  • Bedrock Geology of Carbondale Quadrangle
    BEDROCK GEOLOGY OF CARBONDALE QUADRANGLE Prairie Research Institute JACKSON AND WILLIAMSON COUNTIES, ILLINOIS Illinois Geologic Quadrangle Map ILLINOIS STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY IGQ Carbondale-BG W. John Nelson 2013 89°15' 12'30" 10' 89°07'30" 720 000FEET (IL E) 3 000mE 3 3 3 3 3 3 R. 1 W. 2 590 000 FEET (IL W) R. 1 E. 3 37°45' 03 04 05 06 07 08 10 12 37°45' 51 4180 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 000m &c 4180 N 13 &c Creek d r a & h t c m r C CG 508 O &c k" m r a U.S. 366 41 b e" 79 Fish and 18 17 16 15 &t 18 17 &c 13 Wildlife Ho g an 14 Po i n t 4179 m O b r a c r h Pine C a Lo n g Vi ew Island 390000 r 13 d Park FEET (IL E) Sk" 98 390 000 Ck" 322 k" 97 FEET (IL W) m 152 E 4178 k e" K r o A F L 41 ¿ S 273 78 k" PO D ¿ m R e 13 A l C t H t r i CARBONDALE C L R EXPLANATION O 19 22 19 20 20 23 24 B m A 21 R ¿ C Holocene sm Surface mine 4177 k" 105 &t ¿ m c s ¿ 41 e &t 77 Univ ersity l i &c Carbondale Formation School P m » m Desmoinesian Tradewater Formation s s, Stonefort Limestone Member m m, Murphysboro Coal Member Pennsylvanian c c, Curlew Member Southern Illinois ¿ University S 62 &t k" &t-mb Murray Bluff Sandstone Member » &t s 4176 Atokan ¿ &t &t-o olive shale member 27 4176 29 &t-g Grindstaff Sandstone Member 29 C s am e 28 30 pus Lak À 26 25 30 42'30" À 42'30" ¿ 270 m À k" S 1201 &t 290 270 Ü k" k" ªNorth uthern Hill s m So 4175 s k"317 k" 137 s 4175 &t-mb ¿ Symbols Marberry Arboretum 40 Strike and dip of bedding; number indicates degree of dip Carbondale &t r ¿ Reservoi m Horizontal bedding &t r sm ¿ 31 Evergreen Terrace C 32 Vertical joints 4174 31 34 35 36 32 k r 33 ¿ c o ¿ » Shaft mine Sk" 250 F 51 4174 ¿ S ¿ y ¿ Slope mine &t-mb c a m o ¿ À » r m Drift mine c e s m le ¿ ¿ i & ¿ t-mb m ¿ P sm ( À T.
    [Show full text]
  • CONODONT BIOSTRATIGRAPHY and ... -.: Palaeontologia Polonica
    CONODONT BIOSTRATIGRAPHY AND PALEOECOLOGY OF THE PERTH LIMESTONE MEMBER, STAUNTON FORMATION (PENNSYLVANIAN) OF THE ILLINOIS BASIN, U.S.A. CARl B. REXROAD. lEWIS M. BROWN. JOE DEVERA. and REBECCA J. SUMAN Rexroad , c.. Brown . L.. Devera, 1.. and Suman, R. 1998. Conodont biostrati graph y and paleoec ology of the Perth Limestone Member. Staunt on Form ation (Pennsy lvanian) of the Illinois Basin. U.S.A. Ill: H. Szaniawski (ed .), Proceedings of the Sixth European Conodont Symposium (ECOS VI). - Palaeont ologia Polonica, 58 . 247-259. Th e Perth Limestone Member of the Staunton Formation in the southeastern part of the Illinois Basin co nsists ofargill aceous limestone s that are in a facies relati on ship with shales and sandstones that commonly are ca lcareous and fossiliferous. Th e Perth conodo nts are do minated by Idiognathodus incurvus. Hindeodus minutus and Neognathodu s bothrops eac h comprises slightly less than 10% of the fauna. Th e other spec ies are minor consti­ tuents. The Perth is ass igned to the Neog nathodus bothrops- N. bassleri Sub zon e of the N. bothrops Zo ne. but we were unable to co nfirm its assignment to earliest Desmoin esian as oppose d to latest Atokan. Co nodo nt biofacies associations of the Perth refle ct a shallow near- shore marine environment of generally low to moderate energy. but locali zed areas are more variable. particul ar ly in regard to salinity. K e y w o r d s : Co nodo nta. biozonation. paleoecology. Desmoinesian , Penn sylvanian. Illinois Basin. U.S.A.
    [Show full text]
  • Bedrock Geology of Altenburg Quadrangle, Jackson County
    BEDROCK GEOLOGY OF ALTENBURG QUADRANGLE Institute of Natural Resource Sustainability William W. Shilts, Executive Director JACKSON COUNTY, ILLINOIS AND PERRY COUNTY, MISSOURI STATEMAP Altenburg-BG ILLINOIS STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY E. Donald McKay III, Interim Director Mary J. Seid, Joseph A. Devera, Allen L. Weedman, and Dewey H. Amos 2009 360 GEOLOGIC UNITS ) ) ) 14 Qal Alluvial deposits ) 13 18 Quaternary Pleistocene and Holocene 17 360 ) 15 360 16 14 0 36 ) 13 Qf Fan deposits ) Unconformity Qal ) & 350 tl Lower Tradewater Formation Atokan ) ) Pennsylvanian 360 ) &cv Caseyville Formation Morrowan 24 360 ) Unconformity ) 17 Upper Elviran undivided, Meu ) Waltersburg to top of Degonia 19 20 Qal 21 22 23 ) 24 ) Mv Vienna Limestone 360 o ) 3 Mts ) 350 Mts Tar Springs Sandstone ) 20 360 ) Mgd 360 30 ) Mgd Glen Dean Limestone ) 21 350 360 Mts 29 ) Qal Hardinsburg Sandstone and J N Mhg Chesterian ) Golconda Formations h Æ Qal Mav anc 28 27 Br ) N oJ 26 25 JN 85 N ) Cypress Sandstone through J Mcpc Dsl 500 Paint Creek Formation JN N ) J o Mts N 5 J s ) Dgt 600 J N 70 J N Mgd Yankeetown Formation s ) Myr Db 80 28 Æ and Renault Sandstone N J 29 N J N ) Sb J Mgd Mississippian o Dgt Ssc 25 Clines o N 25 Msg 27 ) Qal J 80 s 3 Mav Aux Vases Sandstone N J N Mts o MILL J MISSISSIPPI 34 ) Qal J N ) N J Dsl 35 N 26 J o N 25 J Mgd Mgd ) Msg Ste. Genevieve Limestone 500 o Db DITCH J 20 Mgd N N N ) J J o RIVER o N 600 J 80 N ) 10 o J Mav Æ Msl St.
    [Show full text]
  • Columnals (PDF)
    2248 22482 2 4 V. INDEX OF COLUMNALS 8 Remarks: In this section the stratigraphic range given under the genus is the compiled range of all named species based solely on columnals assigned to the genus. It should be noted that this range may and often differs considerably from the range given under the same genus in Section I, because that range is based on species identified on cups or crowns. All other abbreviations and format follow that of Section I. Generic names followed by the type species are based on columnals. Genera, not followed by the type species, are based on cups and crowns as given in Section I. There are a number of unlisted columnal taxa from the literature that are indexed as genera recognized on cups and crowns. Bassler and Moodey (1943) did not index columnal taxa that were not new names or identified genera with the species unnamed. I have included some of the omissions of Bassler and Moodey, but have not made a search of the extensive literature specifically for the omitted citations because of time constraints. Many of these unlisted taxa are illustrated in the early state surveys of the eastern and central United States. Many of the columnal species assigned to genera based on cups or crowns are incorrect assignments. An uncertain, but significant, number of the columnal genera are synonyms of other columnal genera as they are based on different parts of the stem of a single taxon. Also a number of the columnal genera are synonyms of genera based on cups and crowns as they come from more distal parts of the stem not currently known to be associated with the cup or crown.
    [Show full text]
  • Subsurface Facies Analysis of the Devonian Berea Sandstone in Southeastern Ohio
    SUBSURFACE FACIES ANALYSIS OF THE DEVONIAN BEREA SANDSTONE IN SOUTHEASTERN OHIO William T. Garnes A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate College of Bowling Green State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE December 2014 Committee: James Evans, Advisor Jeffrey Snyder Charles Onasch ii ABSTRACT James Evans, Advisor The Devonian Berea Sandstone is an internally complex, heterogeneous unit that appears prominently both in outcrop and subsurface in Ohio. While the unit is clearly deltaic in outcrops in northeastern Ohio, its depositional setting is more problematic in southeastern Ohio where it is only found in the subsurface. The goal of this project was to search for evidence of a barrier island/inlet channel depositional environment for the Berea Sandstone to assess whether the Berea Sandstone was deposited under conditions in southeastern Ohio unique from northeastern Ohio. This project involved looking at cores from 5 wells: 3426 (Athens Co.), 3425 (Meigs Co.), 3253 (Athens Co.), 3252 (Athens Co.), and 3251 (Athens Co.) In cores, the Berea Sandstone ranges from 2 to 10 m (8-32 ft) thick, with an average thickness of 6.3 m (20.7 ft). Core descriptions involved hand specimens, thin section descriptions, and core photography. In addition to these 5 wells, the gamma ray logs from 13 wells were used to interpret the architecture and lithologies of the Berea Sandstone in Athens Co. and Meigs Co. as well as surrounding Vinton, Washington, and Morgan counties. Analysis from this study shows evidence of deltaic lobe progradation, abandonment, and re-working. Evidence of interdistributary bays with shallow sub-tidal environments, as well as large sand bodies, is also present.
    [Show full text]
  • New Member Names for the Lower Silurian Hopkinton Dolomite of Eastern Iowa
    Proceedings of the Iowa Academy of Science Volume 90 Number Article 4 1983 New Member Names for the Lower Silurian Hopkinton Dolomite of Eastern Iowa Markes E. Johnson William College Let us know how access to this document benefits ouy Copyright ©1983 Iowa Academy of Science, Inc. Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.uni.edu/pias Recommended Citation Johnson, Markes E. (1983) "New Member Names for the Lower Silurian Hopkinton Dolomite of Eastern Iowa," Proceedings of the Iowa Academy of Science, 90(1), 13-18. Available at: https://scholarworks.uni.edu/pias/vol90/iss1/4 This Research is brought to you for free and open access by the Iowa Academy of Science at UNI ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Proceedings of the Iowa Academy of Science by an authorized editor of UNI ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Johnson: New Member Names for the Lower Silurian Hopkinton Dolomite of Eas Proc. Iowa Acad. Sci. 90(1): 13-18, 1983 New Member Names for the Lower Silurian Hopkinton Dolomite of Eastern Iowa MARKES E. JOHNSON Department of Geology, Williams College, Williamstown, Massachusetts 01267. Previously divided primarily on the basis of paleontologic units, the approximately 60-80 m thick Hopkinton Dolomite in eastern Iowa also comprises a set oflithologically unique subunits. With the development of a new capability for inter-regional correlation of Lower Silurian strata based on the use of sea-level curves, it is especially appropriate to recognize these subdivisions of the Hopkinton Dolomite as formal member units. Locally, the relationships shown by these units may also contribute to a better understanding of the Plum River Fault Zone and its associated structures in Iowa and Illinois.
    [Show full text]
  • Upper Carboniferous–Lower Permian Buildups of the Carnic Alps, Austria–Italy 201 Upper Carboniferous–Lower Permian Buildups of the Carnic Alps, Austria–Italy
    Published in "SEPM Special Publication No. 78: 201-217, 2003" which should be cited to reference this work. UPPER CARBONIFEROUS–LOWER PERMIAN BUILDUPS OF THE CARNIC ALPS, AUSTRIA–ITALY 201 UPPER CARBONIFEROUS–LOWER PERMIAN BUILDUPS OF THE CARNIC ALPS, AUSTRIA–ITALY ELIAS SAMANKASSOU Université de Fribourg, Département de Géosciences, Géologie et Paléontologie, Pérolles, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland e-mail: [email protected] ABSTRACT: A variety of buildup types occur in the upper Paleozoic Auernig and Rattendorf Groups, Carnic Alps, at the present-day Austrian–Italian border, including coral, diverse algal (Anthracoporella, Archaeolithophyllum, Rectangulina, and phylloid green), bryozoan, brachiopod, and sponge buildups. Thin mounds and banks have a diverse fossil association (e.g., Archaeolithophyllum–bryozoan– brachiopod mounds) and occur in siliciclastic-dominated intervals, as do coral buildups. Some of the biodiverse thin mounds occur in strata that were deposited in cooler water. However, the thickest mounds are nearly monospecific (e.g., Anthracoporella mounds) and grew in carbonate-dominated, warm-water environments. Most of the mounds considered in this paper, particularly algal mounds, grew in quiet-water environments below wave base but within the photic zone. Mound growth was variously stopped by siliciclastic input, e.g., auloporid coral mounds, sea-level rise, e.g., the drowning of Anthracoporella mounds of the Rattendorf Group, influence of cool water, e.g., algal mounds of the Auernig Group overlain by limestone of cool-water biotic association, or sea-level fall, e.g., phylloid algal mounds that were subsequently exposed subaerially. There is no indication of ecological succession during mound growth. Growth, dimensions, biotic association, and termination of mounds seem to have been controlled by extrinsic factors, mainly sea level and water temperature.
    [Show full text]
  • Open Kosei.Pdf
    The Pennsylvania State University The Graduate School Department of Geosciences GEOCHEMISTRY OF ARCHEAN–PALEOPROTEROZOIC BLACK SHALES: THE EARLY EVOLUTION OF THE ATMOSPHERE, OCEANS, AND BIOSPHERE A Thesis in Geosciences by Kosei Yamaguchi Copyright 2002 Kosei Yamaguchi Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy May 2002 We approve the thesis of Kosei Yamaguchi Date of Signature ____________________________________ _______________________ Hiroshi Ohmoto Professor of Geochemistry Thesis Advisor Chair of Committee ____________________________________ _______________________ Michael A. Arthur Professor of Geosciences ____________________________________ _______________________ Lee R. Kump Professor of Geosciences ____________________________________ _______________________ Raymond G. Najjar Associate Professor of Meteorology ____________________________________ _______________________ Peter Deines Professor of Geochemistry Associate Head for Graduate Program and Research in Geosciences iii ABSTRACT When did the Earth's surface environment become oxic? The timing and mechanism of the rise of atmospheric pO2 level in the early Precambrian have been long debated but no consensus has been reached. The oxygenation of the atmosphere and oceans has significant impacts on the evolution of the biosphere and the geochemical cycles of redox-sensitive elements. In order to constrain the evolution of the atmosphere, oceans, biosphere, and geochemical cycles of elements, a systematic and multidisciplinary
    [Show full text]
  • Proceedings of the Indiana Academy of Science
    Geologic Contrasts in Indiana State Parks Otis W. Freeman, Indiana University The state parks of Indiana, with sites selected largely for scenic and historic reasons but partly with the intent to secure wide geo- graphical distribution for recreational purposes, contain a fairly com- plete sequence of the geological formations outcropping in the state, besides providing examples for a large majority of the physiographic principles. Evidence of vulcanism is one of the chief things missing, since all of the exposed bedrock in Indiana is of sedimentary origin. Even so, many types of igneous and metamorphic rocks can be picked up among the glacial boulders in the northern part of the state. The oldest exposed rocks are those of the Ordovician period. Ex- cellent outcrops for the study of the Ordovician strata occur in south- eastern Indiana on the west flank of the Cincinnati Arch. The beds are highly fossiliferous and one of the famous collecting grounds for the life forms of this period is near Madison. Clifty Falls State Park includes strata classified in the upper Or- dovician, the Silurian and base of the Devonian periods. The Silurian rocks occupy the hill slopes above the falls and inner gorges in the park with the Devonian capping the higher hills. The Ordovician formations in the park area from the base up- ward, begin with 25 feet of the Bellevue, followed by 115 feet of the Arnheim, 55 feet of the Waynesville, 50 feet of the Liberty, about 32 feet of the Saluda and possibly 6 feet of Whitewater. Shale predominates from the Bellevue through the Liberty and is interbedded with thin layers and lenses of limestone, and in contrast the Saluda is a thick bedded limestone with reef corals occuring near its base.
    [Show full text]
  • 109Th Annual Report of the State Geologist
    109TH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE STATE GEOLOGIST of INDIANA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES for July 1, 1984 - June 30, 1985 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY ONE HUNDRED AND NINTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE STATE GEOLOGIST PERMANENT PERSONNEL Administration John B. Patton •• • • • • • State Geologist Maurice E. Biggs • • Assistant State Geologist Mary E. Fox. • • • • • ••••Mineral Statistician E. Coleen George •• • • • • • Principal Secretary Coal and Industrial Minerals Section Donald D. Carr • • • •••••Geologist and Head Curtis H. Ault • • • .Geologist and Associate Head Donald L. Eggert ••••• Geologist Denver Harper ••• Geologist Nancy R. Hasenmueller. Geologist Walter A. Hasenmueller Geologist Paul N. Irwin (OSM) •• Geologist Christopher Schubert (USGS) •• Geologist Nelson R. Shaffer.' •••••• Geologist Christopher R. Smith • Geologist Belita J. Minett •• Secretary Kathryn R. Shaffer • • • • • Secretary Drafting and Photography Section William H. Moran ••. •••Chief Draftsman and Head Barbara T. Hill •••• • •••••••••••Photographer Richard T. Hill. ••• • Senior Geological Draftsman Roger L. Purcell •• •••• Senior Geological Draftsman *Kimberly H. Sowder•• • Draftsperson/Photographer Wilbur E. Stalions • • • • • • • .Artist/Draftsman **James R. Tolen • Senior Geological Draftsman *Salary 'paid in part from Department of Geology account **Salary paid from Department of Geology account Educational Services J 0 h n R. Hi 1 1 • • • • • • • Geologist and Head 1 r Geochemistry Section Richard K. Leininger • • • Geochemist and Head Margaret V. Ennis.
    [Show full text]
  • Affected Environment 4
    Section 4 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT 4. Affected Environment 4.0 Affected Environment The study corridor used to identify various resources within the program’s affected environment is comprised of the seven sections described in Chapter 3, Section 3.3.7.1 and illustrated in Exhibit 3.3‐10. Depending on the resource and the available information collected, the width of the study corridor ranges from 100 feet to the counties in which the study corridor traversed. The study corridors are described in each of the resource sections. 4.1 Existing Land Use 4.1.1 Development Patterns Historically, Chicago and St. Louis have served as major continental transportation centers, both tracing their origins to water and rail transportation routes. Chicago prospered from its strategic location on Lake Michigan and access to eastern markets through the Erie Canal and the Great Lakes. St. Louis originally developed from its role as a port on the Mississippi River that provided access to domestic and foreign markets. During the 19th Century, the addition of railroads linking these cities forged an economic lifeline between Chicago and St. Louis. Construction of the rail network spawned the growth of numerous communities that served as regional centers for the collection and distribution of goods for a rich agricultural region. The influence of the railroad remained strong until interstate highways joined the transportation system in the 1950s and 1960s. In contrast to the railroads, which created new communities along their length to maintain and support the railroads, interstate highways were constructed around, and often bypassed some communities. Because the interstates had limited points of access, county roads that connected with or crossed over them linking existing communities, became particularly important to the rural areas.
    [Show full text]