2019 Map of Wilder

About this map

Wilder and the southwestern edge of Windom anchor this rural landscape along the border of Cottonwood and Jackson Counties. The terrain is defined by a dense network of glacial wetlands and water bodies, including Timber Lake, Teal Lake, and the expansive Heron Lake to the southwest. The Des Moines River cuts through the northeastern corner, providing a natural contrast to the numerous engineered watercourses such as Judicial Ditch Number Fiftyfour and Judicial Ditch Number Twentyseven. These ditches represent a significant effort to manage the prairie hydrology for agricultural use. For those researching local history or genealogy, the map identifies several rural burial sites, including Wilder Cem, Delafield Cem, Saint Peter Cem, and Brill Cem. The section-line road system, including routes like Co Hwy 18 and Co Hwy 4, illustrates the enduring structure of the Public Land Survey System in southern Minnesota.