2016 Map of Vicksburg

About this map

The Minnesota River carves a deep valley across this portion of the Renville-Redwood county line, creating a dramatic break in the otherwise flat agricultural grid of Emmet Township. Along the bluffs, the settlement of Vicksburg sits near its namesake Vicksburg Cemetery, overlooking a complex of backwaters and seasonal basins including Beckendorf Lake and Gold Mine Lake. This landscape is defined by its deep roots in family and faith, evidenced by an unusually high density of small cemeteries and family burial grounds that dot the section lines. From the Anson C Fisk Family Plot and Schmitt Family Cemetery to larger community sites like Bethany Lutheran Cemetery, these features provide a detailed record of the families who settled this prairie. The extensive drainage system, including County Ditch Number Thirty-five A and Timms Creek, illustrates the persistent effort to manage the high water table for productive farming.