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1901 Map of Riverside

Name: 1901 Topographic Map of Riverside
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1911
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1911

About this map

The Desplaines River valley serves as the central artery for this survey, showcasing a landscape in the midst of rapid industrial and suburban transition west of the Chicago City Line. The map reveals the intricate engineering of the era, most notably the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal and the Ogden Ditch, which redirected the region's natural hydrology for sanitation and commerce. At Ogden Dam, the intersection of these waterways highlights the massive infrastructure projects that shaped the modern Cook County landscape.

Dense rail networks, including the Illinois Central R. R. and the Chicago and Northwestern R. R., connect a string of growing commuter hubs like Melrose, Maywood, and River Forest. Local history is anchored by significant sites such as Waldheim Cemetery and the Forest Home Cem. along the river, while landmarks like Mammoth Springs and settlements such as Orchard Place offer a look at the earlier character of these communities before the expansion of the metropolitan grid.