America Transformed: Situated on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan, Chicago commanded a short land portage between the Great Lakes and Illinois River, giving it access to the Mississippi River Valley. By 1860, Chicago’s population grew to 110,000, making it the nation’s ninth largest city. This rapid growth is demonstrated with an 1863 map highlighting the real estate subdivisions added to the city. Its geographical footprint had expanded dramatically from the original town plat of 2.5 square miles, extending 4-6 miles to the north, south, and west. Throughout this expansion, the street pattern continued to follow the grid pattern guided by General Land Office’s township surveys.
Entered according to the act of Congress ... in the year 1863 by James Van Vechten.
Includes street index and addition and subdivision index.
Insets: Ward boundaries -- [southeast continuation].
Notes (exhibitions):
Exhibited: "America transformed. Part 1: the United States expands westward," organized by the Norman B. Leventhal Map & Education Center at the Boston Public Library, 2019.
IIIF Manifest