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1915 Map of Ottawa

Name: 1915 Topographic Map of Ottawa
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1917
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1917

About this map

The Illinois River and Fox River converge at Ottawa, anchoring a landscape defined by early industrial transport and deep river bluffs. Just after the turn of the century, this area was a hub of heavy rail activity with the Chicago Rock Island and Pacific and the Chicago Burlington and Quincy lines bisecting the terrain. The presence of the Illinois and Michigan Canal running parallel to the river reflects an era when water-borne freight was still a primary engine of local commerce.

Southwest along the river, the sheer sandstone architecture of Starved Rock State Park is documented with its numerous tributaries like Kaskaskia Canyon and French Canyon. Rural LaSalle County is densely marked with early educational and civic landmarks, from Hickory College to the County Farm, while unique local names such as Mud College and the Chautauqua Grounds suggest a vibrant social and cultural fabric outside the main town centers.