1961 Map of Monticello

About this map

The Mississippi River serves as the dividing line between Sherburne and Wright counties, carving a wide path through a landscape defined by glacial lakes and active rail corridors. The community of Monticello sits on the southern bank, characterized in this era by a cluster of civic landmarks including the Athletic Field, Riverside Cem, and Hillside Cem. North of the river, the town of Big Lake is surrounded by significant water bodies like Lake Mitchell and Ketter Lake, while the Northern Pacific Great Northern tracks run parallel to the water, connecting the small settlement of Salida to the broader regional economy. Away from the river, the terrain is pocketed with numerous Gravel Pits and smaller water features like Bertram Lake and Pelican Lake, illustrating the post-glacial topography of central Minnesota. Local history and genealogy researchers will find several well-defined burial grounds, such as St Henrys Cem and Helm Cem, providing clear spatial context for the area's rural development.