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1917 Map of Pelican Rapids

Name: 1917 Topographic Map of Pelican Rapids
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1917
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1917

About this map

Pelican Rapids serves as the primary hub in this detailed 1913–1914 survey of the Pelican River valley. The landscape is defined by its dense concentration of glacial lakes, including the expansive Pelican Lake and Lake Lizzie, which supported early tourism at places like Dunn's Resort. The settlement pattern of the era is remarkably dense with rural social infrastructure, featuring dozens of numbered schoolhouses and community centers such as Swede Grove Church and South Emmanuel Church.

A network of named water bodies and creeks, including Whisky Creek and Bob Creek, reveals the drainage patterns of the Scambler and Norwegian Grove townships. For those researching local history, the map preserves the exact locations of many named landmarks like Bangor Cemetery and the vanished crossroads of Rollag and Cormorant, before more modern development reshaped the Otter Tail County countryside.