Loading map...

1891 Map of Muskego

Name: 1891 Topographic Map of Muskego
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1896
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1896

About this map

Muskego Lake and Wind Lake dominate this 1890 survey of the borderlands where Waukesha, Milwaukee, and Racine counties meet. The landscape is defined by its post-glacial hydrology, with the Fox River winding through the western townships of Vernon and Waterford. At this time, the region was primarily a network of rural farming townships and scattered crossroads settlements. Early rail infrastructure is represented by the Wisconsin Central Railroad clipping the northwestern corner of the map through New Berlin.

Local commerce centered around small hubs like Big Bend, Hales Corners, and St. Martin. The topography reveals the intricate wetland systems surrounding Keenonggamong Lake and Denoon Lake, before modern drainage and suburban development altered the hydrology of the area. Researchers can trace the early road network connecting Tess Corners and Durham Hill during a period when the area was still distinctly agrarian.