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1923 Map of Grays Lake

Name: 1923 Topographic Map of Grays Lake
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1923
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1923

About this map

A dense network of glacial lakes and marshy lowlands defines this landscape along the Illinois and Wisconsin border, as surveyed in the years following the Great War. The Fox Lake region emerges as a primary hub of settlement and recreation, surrounded by a complex geography of water bodies including Nippersink Lake, Grass Lake, and Lake Marie. Further east, established villages like Lake Villa and Grays Lake are situated along the rail lines that fueled the area's growth as a seasonal destination for city dwellers.

Evidence of an older, rural settlement pattern is visible in the numerous country schools and family-named landmarks scattered between the lakes. Locations such as Mutton and Hainesville represent the agricultural character that persisted alongside the burgeoning resort economy. The presence of Union Cemetery near Hickory Corners and Fort Hill Cemetery provides vital clues for genealogists researching early families in Grant and Avon townships.