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1953 Map of Milan

Name: 1953 Topographic Map of Milan
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1959
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1959

About this map

The Mississippi River and Rock River dominate this mid-century landscape, framing the industrial and residential expansion of Moline and South Rock Island. The navigation infrastructure of the era is clearly visible, including Lock No 30 and Lock No 31, which managed river traffic near the busy Davenport Harbor. To the south, the terrain transitions into a dense network of rural school districts and small agricultural settlements like Taylor Ridge and Reynolds.

Educational and social life is recorded through numerous localized landmarks, such as Edgington Sch and St Johns Ch. The development of modern transportation is evident at the Quad City Airport, while the Chicago Rock Island and Pacific railroad traces the movement of goods through the valley. Nature preserves like Black Hawk State Park and the Upper Mississippi River Wildlife and Fish Refuge highlight the conservation of the river's backwaters and islands, including Vandruff Island and Big Island.