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1918 Map of Dixon

Name: 1918 Topographic Map of Dixon
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1918
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1918

About this map

The Rock River carves a dramatic oxbow at Grand Detour, a geographic focal point of this northern Illinois landscape just before the end of the Great War. This survey captures a dense network of early 20th-century rural infrastructure, characterized by an exceptional number of small district schoolhouses such as Whiteoak School, Nashua School, and the Harmony Hill School. The regional economy is anchored by the hub of Dixon and smaller rail-dependent villages like Franklin Grove and Nachusa.

Transportation is a defining element, showing the transition from iron rails to the automobile age. Major lines including the Chicago and Northwestern and the Illinois Central bisect the townships, while the Lincoln Highway and Ridge Road mark the early development of established motor routes. Notable landmarks like the County Farm and Lowell Park offer insights into the civic and social organization of Lee and Ogle counties during this era.