The 1867 L. G. Bennett: ATLAS OF RAMSEY COUNTY, the first county atlas published in Minnesota, consists of eight separate maps. Six of these are of a township that would be inside Ramsey County today. The two other maps depict what is today southeast/northeast Minneapolis, and the Fridley area.
Published two years after the Civil War, all the maps indicate the individual residences on the land as well as the names of the landowners and the number of acres they owned. The few railroads and wagon roads at that time are drawn in, as are the original streams, lakes, and wetlands, The forests and blufflines are marked along with any commercial enterprises, such as mills, saloons, and real estate developers' plats.
View some examples of the township maps.
In a text notes historian Donald Empson has translated this 1867 data into the boundaries and names we can identify today. These township maps are a stunning visual of Ramsey County and St. Paul in the earliest pioneer days--the landscape inherited by the settlers. By using Empson's notes, it is possible to overlay this original map on the metropolitian area today and see the changes over 130 years.
The maps are black ink on a white background, 11" x 17". on 110 lb. cardstock. Very suitable for framing. $9.95 each. If you would like to protect your map against wear, dirt, and water by having it sealed and laminated in rugged 5-mil plastic, the cost is $11.95, (They make fascinating place mats.) Prices include postage, handling, and sales tax. Maps will be mailed in a tube.
**NEW CANADA TOWNSHIP**
Includes the area (today) between the lines
of Rice Street, Minnehaha Avenue, County Road D. and Century Avenue.
Parts of St. Paul, Maplewood, North Saint Paul, and Little Canada are
today within the boundaries of this original New Canada Township.
**MCLEAN TOWNSHIP**
Includes the area (today) between the lines of
I35E. Highway 120, the Mississippi River, and Minnehaha Avenue.
All this area is today within the east side of St. Paul, embracing
the neighborhoods of Dayton's Bluff, Mounds Park, and Battle Creek.
**ROSE TOWNSHIP**
Includes the area (today) between the lines of
Marshall Avenue in St. Paul, County Road D. Rice Street, and the
boundary with Minneapolis. Parts of St. Paul, Roseville, Falcon
Heights, and Lauderdale are today within the boundaries of this
orignal Rose Township.
**WHITE BEAR TOWNSHIP**
Includes the area (today) between the lines
of County Road D, County Road J. Highway 120, and Rice Street.
Parts of Little Canada, Gem Lake, White Bear Lake, North Oaks,
and Vadnais Heights are today within the boundaries of this original
White Bear Lake Township.
**MOUND VIEW TOWNSHIP**
Includes the area (today) between the lines
of County Road D. County Road J, Rice Street and Stinson Boulevard.
Parts of New Brighton, Mounds View, Arden Hills, Shoreview, and
North Oaks are today within the boundaries of this original Mound
View Township.
**RESERVE TOWNSHIP**
Includes the area (today) between the lines
of the Mississippi River, Marshall Avenue, Dale Street, and the
Mississippi River. This area is now incorporated within the city
of St, Paul and includes the neighborhoods of Highland, Macalester,
Groveland, The West End, Merriam Park, Crocus and Ramsey Hill,
**ST, ANTHONY TOWNSHIP**
Includes (today) northeast and southeast
Minneapolis and part of the Village of St. Anthony.
**MANOMIN COUNTY**
Includes today's communities of Columbia Heights,
Hilltop, Fridley, and Spring Lake Park.
AND REMEMBER THE BOOKS. Besides maps, Empson Archives can help you build your library with several books written many, many, many years ago. Although they are out-of-print and generally difficult to obtain, you can find them in our catalog. Wonderful reading. Great insights.
Go back to the Empson Archives Top Page.
