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1939 Map of Rochester

Name: 1939 Topographic Map of Rochester
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1939
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1939

About this map

Rochester sits as a regional hub in the late 1930s, anchored by the expansive grounds of the Rochester State Hospital and the Fair Grounds to the south. The city is a nexus for the C & NW railroad, which facilitates local industry and connects smaller outlying settlements like Chester and Viola. North of the city, the landscape is defined by the winding course of the Zumbro River and the significant reservoir of Lake Zumbro, where the Power House and landmarks like Rattlesnake Pt mark the transition into more varied terrain.

A dense network of rural infrastructure supports the surrounding townships, including Farmington and Haverhill. Dozens of numbered and family-named schools, such as Forest Mound Sch and Page Hill Sch, alongside country institutions like Bremen Cem and South Troy Ch, reflect a well-established agrarian community. The map provides a detailed view of these small civic centers, many of which were the primary social anchors for Olmsted County residents before the mid-century consolidation of rural districts.