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1953 Map of Wheeling

Name: 1953 Topographic Map of Wheeling
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1955
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1955

About this map

The Des Plaines River corridor serves as the central spine of this mid-century portrait, capturing a transitional period as rural agricultural lands began meeting the suburban reach of the Chicago area. The landscape is dotted with legacy settlements like Halfday, Wheeling, and Prairie View, alongside specialized landmarks such as Maremont Speedway and the Chicagoland Airport. The presence of several country clubs, including Twin Orchard Country Club and Thorngate Country Club, indicates the region's shift toward recreation and residential development.

Genealogists will find significant detail in the numerous burial grounds, such as Rand Hill Park Cemetery and Gridley Cem, as well as established institutions like the Lake Forest Academy and Addolorata Villa. The transportation network is remarkably dense, featuring three major railroads—the Chicago Milwaukee St Paul and Pacific RR, Minneapolis St Paul and Sault Ste Marie RR, and Chicago North Shore and Milwaukee RR—alongside arterial routes like Milwaukee Avenue.