1953 Map of St. Paul

About this map

The confluence of the Mississippi River and the Minnesota River serves as the focal point for the Twin Cities and their mid-century expansion. This regional overview, compiled by the Army Map Service and field-checked in the early 1950s, details a landscape defined by its glacial lakes and a complex rail network that fueled the Upper Midwest economy. Institutional landmarks like the University of Minnesota, the State Capitol, and Fort Snelling anchor the urban core of St Paul and Minneapolis, while established suburbs such as Edina and Richfield show the post-war residential growth pattern. To the south and east, the map traces the fertile valley towards Rochester and the scenic expansion of the Mississippi at Lake Pepin. The density of small settlements and rural landmarks, including St Marys Church and numerous scattered school sites, provides a detailed record for genealogical research in the counties surrounding the metropolitan hub.