1948 Map of Sterling

About this map

Sterling and Rock Falls anchor this mid-century survey as they straddle the Rock River, showcasing a period of industrial and residential stability along the waterway. The Chicago and Northwestern and Chicago Burlington and Quincy railroads weave through the landscape, connecting these urban centers to outlying hamlets like Polo and Prairieville. The rural townships are meticulously documented, revealing a dense network of one-room schoolhouses such as Buffalo Grove Sch, Donaldson Sch, and East Science Ridge Sch that served the farming communities before mid-century consolidation. Local history is preserved through numerous family-named cemeteries and landmarks, including the Plum Hollow Golf Course and small rural intersections like Hazelhurst and Penrose. The map illustrates the transition from the concentrated riverfront industry of the Yeoward Addition to the wide agricultural expanses of Eagle and Buffalo townships.