2016 Map of New Sweden

About this map

New Sweden sits at the heart of this agricultural landscape in Nicollet County, reflecting the deep Scandinavian heritage of the region. The map documents a territory defined by an intricate network of managed waterways, including Judicial Ditch Number Fifteen and County Ditch Number Twentyseven A, which allow for the cultivation of the surrounding prairie. This hydrographic system connects natural features like Rice Lake and Plaman Lake with the drainage of the Middle Br Rush River. For genealogists, the map is particularly valuable as it locates several rural burial sites, including Scandian Grove Cem, Trinity Lutheran Cem, and Goodman Cem. These landmarks, along with Greenwood Cem to the south, mark the locations of early immigrant congregations and settlements that continue to shape the local identity in southern Minnesota.