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1915 Map of Ottawa

Name: 1915 Topographic Map of Ottawa
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1928
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1928

About this map

The Fox River meets the Illinois River at the industrial and transportation hub of Ottawa in this 1915 survey. This area of LaSalle County is defined by its early 20th-century reliance on both water and rail, featuring the historic Illinois and Michigan Canal with Lock No. 11 and Lock No. 12 still prominent. The landscape transitions from the river valley to the fertile plains of townships like Ophir, Waltham, and Wallace, where a dense network of country schools served the agricultural community.

Along the southern banks of the Illinois, the map details the early development of Starved Rock State Park, showcasing topographic landmarks like Buffalo Rock, Wildcat Canyon, and Kaskaskia Canyon. Significant industrial and leisure infrastructure is visible, including the Chautauqua Grounds and various rail lines like the Chicago Rock Island and Pacific, which connect the riverfront to the interior.