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1902 Map of Portage

Name: 1902 Topographic Map of Portage
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1944
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1944

About this map

Portage and its surrounding wetlands form the center of this landscape, where the Fox River and the Wisconsin River come into close proximity. The map reveals a complex hydraulic environment defined by broad marshes and numerous water bodies, including Swan Lake, Buffalo Lake, and Silver Lake. The settlement pattern follows the high ground and rail corridors, with Pardeeville and Endeavor serving as local hubs.

A network of railroads, most notably the Chicago Milwaukee and St. Paul R. R., converges at the city of Portage, highlighting its importance as a regional transportation junction. Outside the main town, smaller community clusters like Moundville, Marcellon, and Thurman are visible alongside distinct topographic features such as Observatory Hill. The inclusion of the Fort Winnebago boundary reflects the area's frontier history, while numerous smaller labels like Roslin and Jeddo provide essential details for family history research in Columbia and Marquette Counties.