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1919 Map of Knutson

Name: 1919 Topographic Map of Knutson
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1919
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1919

About this map

Rapid River and its network of tributaries, including Chase Brook and Smith Creek, define this 1919 landscape in Northern Minnesota. The area is characterized by a transition from heavily Timbered sections to scattered Opening patches, reflecting the early 20th-century push to manage the northern wetlands. Extensive water engineering is evident through the numerous drainage features such as Judicial Ditch No 30 and Judicial Ditch No 20, which were critical for local agricultural development and land reclamation in Beltrami County.

The map reveals a structured grid system crossing the regions of Pioneer and Keil, marked by the 14th Standard Parallel North. This military survey documentation focuses on the practical navigation of the terrain, noting the presence of a lone Trail and specific hydraulic infrastructure like Lateral No 2 and Lateral No 5. The intricate network of ditches and laterals provides a clear look at the early infrastructure designed to drain the peatlands and woods for settlement.