1966 Map of Alexandria West

About this map

Glacial lakes dominate the central Minnesota landscape west of Alexandria in the mid-1960s, a region defined by its water and woods. The intricate shorelines of Lake Ida and Lake Darling are shown with significant detail, including depth soundings and named points such as Stony Point and Breezy Point. This era shows the rural character of the area transitioning toward the growing county seat, with the Great Northern railroad corridor and a new pipeline cutting across the lake-strewn terrain of La Grand township. Local genealogy is well-preserved through numerous small burying grounds like St Lukes Cem and Kinkaid Cemetery, while the small village of Garfield serves as a western outpost on the rail line. Environmental conservation is evident in the sprawling National Wildlife Management Area and the La Grand State Wildlife Management Area, protecting the wetlands between Lake Brophy and Lake Louise.