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1892 Map of Ottawa

Name: 1892 Topographic Map of Ottawa
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1892
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1892

About this map

The confluence of the Illinois River and its varied tributaries dominates this 1890 survey, showing a landscape defined by industrial waterways and early rail expansion. Ottawa serves as the central hub, where the Illinois and Michigan Canal runs parallel to the river, a critical artery for mid-19th-century commerce. The map meticulously records the township boundaries of North Ottawa, South Ottawa, and Dayton, illustrating how the land was carved into functional agricultural and transport sectors.

Railroad connectivity is prominent, with the Chicago Rock Island and Pacific Railway and the Chicago Burlington and Quincy Railroad intersecting the region. Smaller settlements like Wedron, Dayton, and the rural outpost of Prairie Centre are documented alongside natural features such as Indian Creek and Covel Creek. For those studying local genealogy or the transition from canal to rail economy, this sheet provides a primary look at LaSalle County's development during the late Victorian era.