County atlases, which are based off of Public Land Survey Lines, play an integral role in Minnesota history.
Lavishly illustrated county and city atlases were popular items for Minnesota cartographic publishing houses during the late 19th and early 20th century. They included colorful hand drawn maps and promoted local communities and businesses by including advertisements, photographs of notable residents and buildings, and property owner indexes.
Post WWI, atlases became much plainer and began to play a huge role in real estate business by providing important information for potential land purchasers.
County platbooks include maps of individual townships.
Online Resources:
Print Resources:
Gale Family Library
MN Historical Society Library
345 West Kellogg Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55102
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Monday: Closed
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