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1918 Map of Wilmington

Name: 1918 Topographic Map of Wilmington
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1918
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1918

About this map

The Kankakee River and Des Plaines River converge in this territory, creating a landscape defined by waterway commerce and early twentieth-century rail expansion. The Michigan and Ottawa Canal and its DuPage Feeder parallel the rivers, signaling the era's reliance on canal transport alongside newer rail lines like the Chicago and Alton and the Wabash. Industrial and agricultural footprints are visible in the layout of Wilmington and the grid of Braidwood, while the countryside is densely dotted with neighborhood landmarks such as the Red Brick School and Keeversville School.

Geologic and social features are prominently labeled, from the Kankakee Bluffs to recreational or community spots like Rock Run Park. Numerous rural schoolhouses, including Reeds Grove School and North Providence Ridge School, provide a detailed look at the township-based education system of the time. This 1916 survey, published just after the First World War, captures the region's transition into a mature transportation hub.