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1970 Map of Starved Rock

Name: 1970 Topographic Map of Starved Rock
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1975
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1975

About this map

Starved Rock State Park and Buffalo Rock State Park dominate this Illinois River landscape, where the water's path is marked by a sequence of dramatic canyons. From Wildcat Canyon and French Canyon in the west to Illinois Canyon and Horseshoe Canyon further east, the south bank reveals a geologically complex shoreline. The northern bank presents a starkly different character, defined by industrial activity including several large Strip Mines, Claypits, and the rail infrastructure of the Chicago Rock Island and Pacific Railroad.

Settlement patterns are concentrated at Naplate and Vermilionville, while the interior of Deer Park township preserves local social foundations like the Deer Park Ch and Deer Park Sch. The Illinois River itself is a controlled waterway by this era, featuring the Starved Rock Dam and numerous islands such as Plum Island and Delbridge Island. This map captures the 1970s balance between heavy industry, river navigation, and the preservation of the state's most storied natural landmarks.