1895 Map of Baraboo

About this map

Wisconsin River currents dominate this late nineteenth-century landscape, carving a wide path through the central and southern portions of the region. To the north, the sharp relief of the Baraboo Narrows and the deep basin of Devils Lake showcase the area’s distinctive geology, long before modern recreational development altered the shoreline. The settlement of Baraboo is depicted as a growing industrial and civic hub in the northwest corner, while the Chicago and Northwestern R. R. serves as the primary artery for trade and travel, connecting river towns like Merrimac to the interior. Small hamlets and rural crossroads such as Farr Corners and Alloa reflect the agricultural layout of the time, with early township boundaries like Greenfield and West Point defining the social and political structure of the era. Prominent landmarks like Gibraltar Rock stand over the river valley, providing timeless reference points for researchers tracing early Sauk and Columbia County history.