1957 Map of New Ulm

About this map

The Minnesota River carves a deep valley across the heart of this mid-1950s landscape, serving as the historical and geographical anchor for central Minnesota settlements. Along its banks, the Upper Sioux Indian Mission and Morton Indian Mission mark significant cultural sites, while the Milford State Monument near New Ulm commemorates the area's complex frontier history. The regional economy is defined by the rail lines of the Chicago and North Western and Great Northern, which link agricultural hubs like Montevideo, Hutchinson, and Glencoe. This survey captures the region just before the major expansion of the modern highway system, showing the established network of smaller towns such as Clara City and Bird Island. To the north and east, the glaciated terrain is punctuated by significant water bodies, including Big Kandiyohi Lake and Swan Lake, reflecting the transition from river valley to the prairie pothole region.