1916 Map of St. Francis

About this map

The Rum River meanders southward through this rural landscape at the border of Isanti and Anoka counties, serving as the primary drainage for a region dotted with numerous glacial lakes. Small agricultural and mill settlements such as Saint Francis and Bethel anchor the local economy, while the Great Northern Railway cuts through the eastern portion of the sheet near Cedar. The density of rural education is a striking feature of this era, with many named districts including the Dunn School, Breezy Point School, and Walker School serving dispersed farmstead families.