1944 Map of McHenry

About this map

Woodstock and McHenry anchor this 1944 revision of a 1924 survey, showcasing a landscape of dense rural school districts and maturing rail corridors. The Chicago and Northwestern railroad tracks cut a diagonal path through the terrain, connecting established agricultural hubs like Hebron and Richmond to the larger industrial markets. This era precedes the post-war suburban boom, depicting a region defined by small crossroad settlements and named country schools such as the Stones Corner School and Keystone School. Natural and man-made water features, including the sprawling Wonder Lake and the Fox River, reveal the area's early recreational and industrial utility. Smaller hamlets like Solon Mills and Terra Cotta appear in their mid-century state, providing a clear view of local infrastructure before the expansion of the modern highway system.