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1939 Map of Freeport

Name: 1939 Topographic Map of Freeport
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1966
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1966

About this map

The Pecatonica River winds through the heart of Stephenson County, anchoring a landscape defined by the intersection of three major railroads. Industrial activity and transit are centered around Freeport, where the Illinois Central, Chicago and North Western, and Chicago Milwaukee St Paul and Pacific converge. The massive Wallace Yards on the city's eastern edge highlight the importance of rail logistics during this era.

Beyond the urban core, the map reveals a dense network of rural infrastructure, including dozens of one-room schoolhouses like Champion Hill Sch and Eldorado Sch. Smaller settlements such as Orangeville and Cedarville are surrounded by family-named landmarks and local sites like Ducks Misery. The presence of several distinct cemeteries, including St Marys Cem and Oakland Cem, alongside the Mennonite Ch, provides a clear view of the communal and religious fabric of the region before mid-century modernization.