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1916 Map of St. Francis

Name: 1916 Topographic Map of St. Francis
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1969
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1969

About this map

The Rum River winds through the heart of this landscape, anchoring a rural network of small agricultural settlements and early school districts during the mid-1910s. Along its banks, Saint Francis serves as a local hub, while the Great Northern railway line to the east connects the communities of Bethel and Cedar to wider markets. The terrain is defined by a dense concentration of glacial lakes, including the large Lake George, Blue Lake, and the smaller Twin Lakes.

Genealogists and local historians can find a wealth of early educational sites, from Walker School in the north to School No 33 in the south. The map documents smaller settlements like Nowthen and Crown, alongside distinctive landmarks such as Mitchell Corners and Shack Eddy Lake. The intersection of Isanti Co Anoka Co reveals the jurisdictional boundaries of the era, overlaying a township system that includes Spencer Brook, Bradford, and Oak Grove.