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1912 Map of Milan

Name: 1912 Topographic Map of Milan
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1912
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1912

About this map

The Mississippi River and Rock River define this industrial and agricultural landscape south of the tri-cities area. Large river islands such as Vandruff Island and Big Island sit at the confluence, while the U S Arsenal and Blackhawk Watchtower mark prominent points along the northern banks. The map documents the heavy concentration of rural infrastructure in the early 20th century, notably dozens of numbered schools and named locations like Colony School and Ginger Hill School.

Industry and transport are woven into the terrain, from the Coal Valley Mine near Sherrard to the intersecting paths of the Chicago Rock Island and Pacific RR and the Rock Island Southern RR. Settlements like Milan, Reynolds, and Matherville serve as hubs for the surrounding townships. The intricate network of small drainages, including Mill Creek and Copperas Creek, illustrates the complex topography that shaped the development of local roads and rail lines across the Rock Island and Mercer County boundary.