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1955 Map of Anoka

Name: 1955 Topographic Map of Anoka
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1959
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1959

About this map

The Mississippi River serves as the central artery for this mid-century survey, dividing the landscape between Anoka and Hennepin counties as the post-war suburbs began their outward expansion. Substantial residential development is evident in Brooklyn Center, Crystal, and Robbinsdale at the southern edge, where dense street grids contrast with the still-open townships of Maple Grove and Brooklyn Park. The confluence of the Rum River and Mississippi at Anoka highlights the area's historic importance as a regional hub, anchored by the State Hospital and local industry.

Transport networks are well-defined by the Great Northern and Northern Pacific railroads, which parallel the riverbanks. Local history is deeply etched into the map through numerous community sites, from the Drive-in Theater in Osseo to the many parochial institutions like St Vincent Cem and St Joseph Ch. The northern reaches remain predominantly rural and wetland-rich, punctuated by Bunker Lake and Crooked Lake, reflecting the transitional nature of the suburban frontier during the 1950s.