1957 Map of Waconia

About this map

Lake Waconia dominates this mid-century landscape, featuring its prominent Coney Island and the neighboring city of Waconia. The surrounding Carver County countryside is a dense network of rural school districts and small rail towns, many of which were already in transition as indicated by the high number of abandoned school sites like McGrath Sch and Hydes Lake Sch. Three major rail lines, including the Chicago and North Western and the Chicago Milwaukee St Paul and Pacific, cross the terrain to serve agricultural hubs like Young America, Norwood, and Cologne. To the north, the South Fork Crow River meanders toward Watertown, while religious and community life is anchored by landmarks such as Scandia Ch and Zion Ch. This survey provides a distinct record of the region's lakefront development at Camp Manakiki and Rutz Lake Camp before the expansion of the Twin Cities metropolitan area.