1937 Map of Harvard

About this map

The Chicago and Northwestern railroad lines define the landscape of this region during the 1930s, converging at the town of Harvard. This survey documents a dense network of rural infrastructure along the Illinois-Wisconsin border, where township life revolves around small school districts and farming hamlets. Named schools like Burr Oak Sch and Mokeler Sch are scattered across Chemung and Dunham townships, reflecting the localized social structure of the era. To the south, the Kishwaukee River flows through Marengo, a significant hub for this agricultural and rail corridor. The map preserves the exact locations of burial grounds such as Mt Auburn Cem and Oakwood Cem, providing a precise record for genealogists. From the settlements of Capron and Garden Prairie in the west to the tiny community of Big Foot Prairie on the state line, the map illustrates the transition from mid-century rail-side commerce to a landscape dominated by the Piscasaw Creek and Rush Creek drainages.