2016 Map of Hope

About this map

Hope and Ellendale anchor this agricultural landscape in Steele County, reflecting the enduring township-and-range grid system that defines Southern Minnesota. The map reveals a deeply rooted rural community, highlighted by several local burying grounds such as Zion Lutheran Cem, the Danish Cem, and Berlin Cem, which serve as vital markers for genealogical research in the area. Water features provide the primary natural variation to the surveyed fields, with the Straight River flowing through the northern section and the Little Le Sueur River crossing the northwest corner. To the southwest, Beaver Lake and Lonergan Lake offer significant landmarks within the prairie-pothole terrain. The extensive road network, including Co Hwy 14 and Co Hwy 30, illustrates the modern connectivity between these small settlements and the surrounding farms.