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1951 Map of Mankato West

Name: 1951 Topographic Map of Mankato West
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1952
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1952

About this map

The Minnesota River and Blue Earth River converge in this mid-century survey, defining the development of Mankato and North Mankato. The landscape is a complex network of river bends and bluffs, where the Chicago and North Western railroad follows the valley floor. Notable landmarks include the Old Grist Mill and the striking Minneopa Falls, while the social fabric of the rural townships is recorded through numerous district schools and historic congregations like Jerusalem Ch and Carmel Ch.

South of the main city, the Rapidan Lake reservoir and the smaller prairie basins of Lake Crystal and Loon Lake reflect the glacial hydrology of Blue Earth County. The map captures several small settlements at a moment of transition, from the industrial Power Plant near the city boundary to the outlying village of Good Thunder and the County Home to the east. Several rural schools, such as School No 7 and School No 155, are already marked as abandoned, signaling the consolidation of rural education.