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1961 Map of Clear Lake

Name: 1961 Topographic Map of Clear Lake
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1963
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1963

About this map

The Mississippi River and Elk River define the agricultural and lacustrine landscape of this 1961 survey, where the river corridors carve through the southern and eastern portions of the region. The settlement of Clear Lake serves as a central hub, situated along the Northern Great Pacific Northern rail line that cuts a straight diagonal across the terrain toward Becker. This corridor was essential for the movement of goods and passengers in the early 1960s, connecting the small farmsteads and rural residences to larger markets.

Water is the dominant geographic feature, with numerous named bodies such as Briggs Lake, Elk Lake, and Mosford Lake dotting the interior. These lakes, some featuring depth curves and soundings provided by the Minnesota Department of Conservation, indicate a landscape heavily influenced by glacial activity. A notable Aqueduct and various gravel pits suggest the local modification of the land for infrastructure and industry during this era of mid-century growth.