1904 Map of Lancaster

About this map

The Mississippi River creates a dynamic western boundary for this turn-of-the-century landscape, where the tri-state borders of Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois converge. Centered on the Grant County seat of Lancaster, the terrain is defined by a dense network of watercourses including the Grant River, Platte River, and Little Maquoketa River. The survey illustrates the era's critical transportation infrastructure, with the Chicago and Northwestern RR and Chicago Milwaukee and St Paul lines connecting upland agricultural hubs like Fennimore and Bloomington to the river valleys. Local landmarks such as the prominent Sinsinawa Mound and the crossing at Spechts Ferry highlight the geographic and social focal points of a region transitioning from frontier life into a settled rail-and-river economy. Small settlements like British Hollow, Hurricane, and Beetown are documented in their early development, providing a detailed record for genealogical research in Southwest Wisconsin.