1959 Map of Waukesha

About this map

The Fox River meanders through this landscape, which in the late 1950s was quickly transforming from a rural quarrying district into a bustling suburban corridor. The city of Waukesha anchors the southwest corner, featuring Carroll College and the Wisconsin Industrial School, while the expansion of the East-West Freeway signals the increasing connectivity to Milwaukee. Local history is preserved in the detailed mapping of numerous small settlements like Duplainville and Goerkes Corner, along with dozens of schools such as Sunnyslope School and Fairview School. The map reveals a complex economy where extraction at several quarries in Lisbon coexisted with modern landmarks like the Waukesha County Airport and the U.S. Military Reservation. Geologists and genealogists alike will find value in the precise locations of Rose Hill Cemetery and the various mineral springs, including Bethesda Spring and Horeb Spring, which once defined the area's reputation.