1908 Rand McNally City Plan or Map of Chicago, Illinois

This is an uncommon 1908 pocket map or city plan of Chicago, Illinois by Rand McNally and Company. The Rand McNally Company issued this enormous pocked map to illustrate their home city in incredible detail. The map is printed on two sides of a single sheet of paper. The recto (image above left), details northern Chicago from 33rd street northwards. This section of Chicago includes central Chicago, 'The Loop,' Lincoln Park, the beginnings of the Chicago Park System, and the magnificent Mile. The verso (image above right), details Chicago south of 34th Street, including the southern tier of the Park System, Jackson park (Field Museum), the Midway, Lake Calumet and Wolf Lake.

Selected as a railway hub for most of the American Midwest, Chicago underwent a boom period and was the focus of the world's attention in 1893 during the Chicago World's Fair, or as it is better known, the Columbian Exposition. The map identifies Jackson Park, the location of the fair. It also illustrates the Chicago Park System. The 'Park System,' designed by Olmsted prodigy William Le Baron Jenny in 1871, refers to a network of parks and garden boulevards intended to embrace the city in arms of foliage. Many of these parks and boulevards remain today.

This highly detailed map identifies piers, parks, cemeteries, street addresses, railroads, and an assortment of other topographical features. Individual streets and buildings are identified. Issued and copyrighted by the Rand McNally Company in 1908.