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1940 Map of Granite City

Name: 1940 Topographic Map of Granite City
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1950
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1950

About this map

The industrial and riverfront landscape of the Mississippi River takes center stage in this 1940s-era survey, capturing the complex border between Missouri and Illinois. On the western bank, the urban grid of St Louis is densely mapped, featuring prominent landmarks like Stowe Teachers College, Sumner High School, and the iconic Sportsman Park. The map documents a time of heavy rail and river commerce, showing the St Louis Terminal Railroad and the massive National Stock Yards near Brooklyn.

Large river islands, including Mosenthein Island and Gabaret Island, divide the river channel, while the eastern shore is defined by the growing industrial footprint of Granite City and Venice. Local history is preserved through the locations of numerous schools and sacred spaces like Calvary Cemetery, providing a detailed look at the social and economic fabric of these neighboring river cities before mid-century changes shifted the regional infrastructure.