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1938 Map of Rockford

Name: 1938 Topographic Map of Rockford
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1964
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1964

About this map

The Rock River corridor anchors this northern Illinois landscape, serving as the industrial and transport spine for growing communities like South Beloit, Rockton, and Rockford. This 1938 revision captures the region before mid-century suburbanization, showing a dense network of rural schoolhouses such as Mud School, Sweet School, and Canada School that served the outlying townships. The map documents significant local institutions like the Winnebago County Boys Reform School and the Rockford Cem, providing specific touchpoints for local historians.

Industrial development is visible along the Chicago Milwaukee St Paul and Pacific and Chicago and Northwestern railroads, which helped shape the growth of Loves Park and Westmoreland. To the west, the confluence of the Pecatonica River and the Sugar River highlights the well-watered agricultural lands of Harrison and Shirland townships, where family-named landmarks like Phelps School and Dickenson School dot the prairie.