1901 Map of Calumet

About this map

The Little Calumet River snakes through this industrial corridor at the dawn of the 20th century, revealing the dense rail network and nascent manufacturing settlements south of the Chicago City Line. This 1901 survey documents the established company town of Pullman, situated on the shores of Calumet Lake, along with a string of growing communities like Blue Island, Harvey, and Kensington. The map illustrates the dominance of the railroad industry in shaping the landscape, with dozens of lines including the Chicago Junction R. R. and Michigan Central R. R. crisscrossing the marshy terrain between Wolf Lake and the various suburban junctions. Genealogists will find significance in the clear plotting of Mt. Olivet Cemetery and Greenwood Cemetery, as well as institutional landmarks like the Glenwood Industrial School near the banks of Thorn Creek.