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1971 Map of Freeport West

Name: 1971 Topographic Map of Freeport West
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1978
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1978

About this map

The Pecatonica River winds through this 1970s landscape, defining the transition from the city of Freeport to the agricultural townships of Harlem and Florence. Urban growth is evident along the eastern edge, where the Highland Community College campus and residential developments like La Cresta meet the established municipal infrastructure. Further north, the small settlements of Scioto Mills and Cedarville maintain their distinct identities along the Illinois Central Gulf railroad and Richland Creek.

Genealogists and local historians will find several rural burial grounds documented, including Harlem Center Cem, Martin Cem, and Van Brocklin Cem. The landscape is also dotted with evidence of early industry and recreation, such as numerous quarries, a Drive-in Theater, and the established grounds of Krape Park along Yellow Creek. The map reflects a period when the traditional rail-and-river economy was increasingly interfacing with modern suburban expansion.