1914 Map of Monroe

About this map

The Raisin River carves through the heart of Monroe, Michigan, anchoring a landscape defined by its strategic position between Detroit and Toledo. This 1912 survey, later updated and published by the Corps of Engineers, reveals a complex web of early twentieth-century infrastructure. A high density of rail lines, including the Michigan Central R. R. and the Detroit Monroe and Toledo Short Line, converge near the city center, illustrating the region's role as a vital industrial and transit corridor. Along the Lake Erie shoreline, the topography transitions from the marshy outlets of Plum Creek and La Plaisance Creek to prominent coastal landmarks like Point Aux Peaux. Further south, the map details the rural character of La Salle and Erie, where numerous drainage features such as Sulphur Creek and Muddy Creek crisscross the low-lying coastal plain toward Maumee Lake.