1967 Map of East Chain

About this map

East Chain Lake and the small settlement of East Chain anchor this late 1960s survey of southern Martin County along the Iowa border. The landscape is defined by its glacial history, with a complex network of man-made waterways like County Ditch No 84 and Judicial Ditch No 115 designed to drain the prairie wetlands for agriculture. This transition from natural marsh to cultivated land is visible in features like the Lakebed and the ironically named Burnt Out section. Local community life is centered around the East Chain Sch and several country churches, including East Chain Ch and St Pauls Ch, while the East Chain State Wildlife Management Area preserves a portion of the original shoreline and habitat. The map meticulously records the numerous gravel pits that reflect the region's mid-century road building and industrial activity.