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1953 Map of Harvey

Name: 1953 Topographic Map of Harvey
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1955
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1955

About this map

Thornton, Bremen, and Rich townships define this post-war suburban landscape, where rapid residential growth meets a dense industrial and transit infrastructure. The massive Markham Yard dominates the central corridor, serving as a critical rail artery alongside the Illinois Central tracks. Institutional history is anchored by the Oak Forest Infirmary and the expansive St Mihiel Reserve, while the presence of the Old Indian Boundary line provides a geographic link to the region's earlier surveying history.

Neighborhoods such as Homewood, Flossmoor, and Olympia Fields are clearly delineated, punctuated by numerous country clubs including Idlewild and Calumet. The map documents a transition from open fields to established communities, capturing everything from the small Rubinkam Airport to the historic Lincoln Highway. Local genealogy is well-served by the inclusion of numerous parochial schools like St Johns Sch and local burial grounds like Hazelwood Cemetery.