1895 Map of Baraboo

About this map

The Wisconsin River carves a deep path through the heart of Sauk and Columbia Counties, serving as the dominant geographic feature of this 1890s survey. The landscape is defined by the sharp transition between the river valley and the high, broken ground of the Baraboo range to the north. Settlement is concentrated in established river towns and rail junctions, including the significant grid of Baraboo and the twin riverside communities of Prairie du Sac and Sauk. The presence of the Chicago and Northwestern railroad facilitated the growth of smaller stops like Merrimac and Lodi, which were essential links in the region's agricultural and transport economy. Natural landmarks such as the glacial Devils Lake and the prominent Gibraltar Rock stand out as distinct topographic features, while numerous smaller streams like Rowley Creek and Spring Creek feed the larger drainage basins. The map illustrates a late 19th-century mosaic of organized townships, including Merrimac, Sumpter, and West Point.