1964 Map of Momence

About this map

The Kankakee River winds through the heart of this landscape, its course punctuated by riverine features like Koops Island, Maple Island, and Parish Island. This mid-century survey captures a period of transition for eastern Kankakee County, where the historic river-town of Momence serves as a hub for both industry and education. The town's social fabric is visible through institutions such as St Patricks Academy and St Judes Seminary, while the surrounding agricultural lands are tied together by a complex network of rail lines, including the Chicago Milwaukee St Paul and Pacific and the Chicago and Eastern Illinois Nashville and Louisville. To the north, Grant Park sits near Lake Metonga, reflecting the early development of these prairie settlements. Evidence of local industry appears in the various sandpits and a Gravel Pit scattered across Sumner and Yellowhead townships.