1923 Map of Grays Lake

About this map

The glacial lakelands of northeastern Illinois are documented here during the early twentieth century, showing a region defined by its complex hydrology and growing rail connectivity. The Chicago Milwaukee and St Paul and the Minneapolis St Paul and Sault Ste Marie railroads intersect the landscape, facilitating the development of lakeside communities like Antioch, Fox Lake, and Lake Villa. These transport lines linked the chain of lakes—including Lake Marie, Grass Lake, and Pistakee Lake—to broader regional markets, while many rural areas remained dominated by family-named schools such as Johnson School and Big Hollow School. The map reveals the intricate shoreline of Columbia Bay and Nippersink Lake, where seasonal recreation began to influence the local economy. Religious and civic foundations are anchored by St Marys Chapel and early burial grounds like Union Cemetery and Fort Hill Cemetery.