1963 Map of River Forest

About this map

The Des Plaines River corridor serves as the backbone of this mid-century portrait of suburban Cook County, where dense residential grids meet expansive forest preserves and historic institutions. Large tracts of land remain dedicated to a notable concentration of cemeteries, including St Joseph Cemetery, Mount Olive Cemetery, and All Saints Cemetery, which contrast with the rapid post-war expansion in Norridge and Harwood Heights. Higher education and healthcare facilities are prominent landmarks, from the sprawling campus of Concordia College and the neighboring Dominican College to the Chicago State Hospital grounds. The map captures the transportation evolution of the Chicago area, showing the Tri-State Tollway and Kennedy Expressway cutting through established townships like Leyden and Norwood Park. Recreational and social hubs like the Maywood Park Racetrack and numerous wooded preserves such as Schiller Woods South reflect the era's balance of industry, transit, and community space.