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1893 Map of Delavan

Name: 1893 Topographic Map of Delavan
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1909
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1909

About this map

Lake Geneva and Delavan Lake anchor this 1891 survey of Walworth County, capturing a landscape defined by glacial hydrology and the expansion of the regional rail network. The map illustrates a pivotal era for lakeside settlements like Williams Bay and Fontana, which were beginning to evolve from rural outposts into significant destinations. The intricate drainage of Turtle Creek and Sugar Creek carves through the undulating terrain, connecting numerous smaller water bodies such as Turtle Lake and Silver Lake.

Railroad infrastructure is a dominant feature, showing the Chicago Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad and the Chicago and Northwestern R. R. as they spurred the growth of agricultural hubs. From the county seat at Elkhorn to the southern village of Sharon, the map documents the established townships of Darien, La Fayette, and Sharon, providing a precise record of the road grids and village plats before the automotive era reshaped the Wisconsin countryside.