1953 Map of Elwood

About this map

The Joliet Arsenal dominates the southwestern portion of this mid-century landscape, illustrating the significant military footprint in Will County during the postwar era. The village of Elwood sits at the intersection of critical transit corridors, bordered by a dense network of rail lines including the Gulf Mobile and Ohio and the U S Government Railroad. The geography is defined by the winding paths of Jackson Creek and Prairie Creek, while the Des Plaines River and its associated industrial quarries anchor the northwestern corner. Scattered rural educational landmarks like North Ridge Sch and Brown Sch highlight the dispersed agricultural community structure that existed alongside heavy government and transport infrastructure. Updated features in purple show the expansion of Joliet's southern fringes near Wilhelmi Airport and Sugar Run.