1896 Map of St. Paul

About this map

The confluence of the Mississippi River and Minnesota River serves as the focal point for this survey, anchored by the Fort Snelling military reservation and the historic settlement of Mendota. The landscape of the late nineteenth century is defined by a dense web of rail infrastructure, including the Great Northern, Northern Pacific, and the Minnesota Belt Line R.R., which facilitated the rapid growth of St. Paul and industrial hubs like South St. Paul. Beyond the city centers, the map reveals a countryside dotted with numerous glacial lakes such as Lake Como, Phalen Lake, and Amelia Lake. Local history is preserved through the naming of landmarks like Pilot Knob and the natural wonder of Minnehaha Falls. Small villages and rail stops such as Inver Grove, Westcott, and Pine Bend provide a look at the residential and agricultural patterns extending southward into Dakota County before the full onset of modern suburbanization.