1972 Map of Erie

About this map

Red Lake River winds through the southern portion of this landscape, a meandering watercourse that contrasts with the rigid grid of Pennington County's agricultural drainage system. The area is defined by the townships of Highlanding, Reiner, Goodridge, and Star, where the transition from original wetland to productive farmland is marked by an extensive network of infrastructure like County Ditch No 51 and County Ditch No 49. Scattered throughout this section of Northern Minnesota are the focal points of rural life in the early 1970s, including the small settlement of Erie and local religious centers such as Reiner Ch and Ekelund Ch. Evidence of local administration and commerce appears at the Townhall, the Star Cent, and several Gravel Pit operations near the river valley.