Preserving A Piece Of Local History

Another couple of years and an invaluable local artifact might have been reduced to dust. An historic county map that is larger than the heights and arm spans of most visitors, was in danger of no longer remaining useful.

The Lena Area Historical Society (LAHS) is in possession of a rare map of Stephenson County. It was printed in 1859 by H.F. Walling Company of New York. and is very large – 54" x 58". It details all the townships, roads, waterways, and railroad lines of the county just before the Civil War. It also shows the names of land owners, has detailed maps of Freeport, Lena, and many...