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1908 Map of Wheaton

Name: 1908 Topographic Map of Wheaton
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1908
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1908

About this map

Naperville and Wheaton anchor this early 20th-century landscape, which reveals a transition from agrarian townships to a sophisticated rail corridor. The intricate rail network is the defining characteristic of this era, featuring the Chicago and Northwestern Ry and the Aurora Elgin and Chicago Electric Ry cutting across the prairies of Winfield and Milton. These lines fostered the growth of towns like Glen Ellyn and Lombard, while smaller rural stops such as Cloverdale and Gretna serviced the surrounding farms.

The topography is dominated by the forks of the DuPage River, with the West Branch DuPage River and East Branch DuPage River carving distinct drainage patterns through the glacial terrain. Local landmarks of the period are clearly marked, including the Wheaton Driving Park and the prominent St Johns Church near the northern boundary. From the established street grids of Downers Grove to the scattered settlements of Bartlett and Itasca, the map provides a precise record of DuPage County's development before the suburban expansion of the mid-century.