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1958 Map of Rockford

Name: 1958 Topographic Map of Rockford
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1974
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1974

About this map

Rock River corridor industrial and agricultural patterns dominate this regional survey, capturing northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin during a period of significant post-war expansion. The map detail highlights the dense concentration of glacial lakes across the landscape, from Lake Koshkonong and Lake Kegonsa in the west to the chain of smaller bodies like Pistakee Lake and Wonder Lake in the east. This era shows the mature rail network of the Chicago & North Western and the Chicago Milwaukee St Paul and Pacific still serving established inland centers like Janesville and Beloit.

The Kettle Moraine State Forest preserves a distinct glacial topography amidst the burgeoning suburban edges of Milwaukee and Waukesha. Notable local landmarks include the Rockford Ordnance Depot and numerous smaller settlements such as Genesee Depot, Saylesville, and Kneeland. The integration of state forests and large water bodies like Pewaukee Lake illustrates the region's early development of recreational and conservation areas alongside its heavy industrial rail hubs.