Loading map...

1961 Map of Clear Lake

Name: 1961 Topographic Map of Clear Lake
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1987
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1987

About this map

The Mississippi River forms a major geographic boundary along the southern edge of this Sherburne County landscape, while the Northern Great Pacific Northern railroad dictates the primary corridor of development between the settlements of Clear Lake and Becker. The terrain is defined by an intricate network of water bodies, including the large expanse of Elk Lake and the smaller, clustered basins of Jones Lake, Mosford Lake, and Crescent Lake. These features reflect the region's post-glacial topography, which supported a diverse mix of wetlands and prairie environments.

Transportation and infrastructure are central to this 1961 record, highlighting the Leaders Clear Lake Airfield just southeast of the Clear Lake village and several industrial sites like the Gravel Pit near Briggs Lake. Local history is anchored by the presence of a Cem near the township center and the winding path of the Elk River, which meanders through the northeast, passing through Palmer and Becker townships. This map documents a period before significant modern suburban expansion, showing a landscape still primarily defined by its rail-and-river geography.