1972 Map of Derrick

About this map

Derrick sits at a rail intersection in the northern plains of Ramsey County, where the Burlington Northern line cuts across a landscape defined by seasonal wetlands and agricultural townships. This early 1970s survey illustrates a region shaped by prairie potholes, including a sprawling National Waterfowl Production Area that preserves the natural habitat amidst the grid of sections. Local governance and community life are anchored by the central townhall, while the historic boundaries of Northfield, Prospect, Overland, and Fancher townships organize the rural population. To the south, the meandering Edmore Coulee provides natural drainage for the surrounding fields. Genealogists will find interest in the documented Prospect Cem and another smaller Cem located near the tracks, marking the sites of early area families and the vanished proximity of the settlement near the railroad siding.