1963 Map of River Forest

About this map

The Des Plaines River corridor serves as a natural spine for this densely developed suburban and urban landscape on the western edge of Chicago. Extensive forest preserves like Robinson Woods North and Thatcher Woods line the river, providing a buffer between the residential grids of River Forest, Elmwood Park, and Maywood. The map reveals a high concentration of institutional landmarks and burial grounds, including the Mount Olive Cemetery, St Joseph Cemetery, and Acacia Cemetery. Transportation networks dominate the infrastructure, with the Soo Line and Chicago and North Western railroads intersecting the grid alongside modern thoroughfares like the Tri-State Tollway and the Eisenhower Exp. Cultural and educational centers are well-represented, from the Maywood Park Racetrack to Dominican College and numerous parochial institutions like Mother Guerin High Sch.