Explore Minnesota: Historical Aerial Photos Online!
Ever wondered what Minnesota looked like from the sky, decades or even a century ago? The history of the North Star State, captured in stunning detail from above, is readily accessible through a wealth of online resources.
From the bustling streets of Minneapolis and Saint Paul to the serene farmlands and vast forests, the landscapes of Minnesota have been meticulously documented through aerial photography. These images, spanning various eras and collected by diverse agencies, offer a unique perspective on the state's evolution, providing invaluable insights for historians, researchers, and anyone with a curiosity for the past. The availability of this imagery online democratizes access to this rich visual history, allowing anyone with an internet connection to explore the changing face of Minnesota.
For those seeking to delve into this aerial archive, several avenues offer convenient access. The John R. Borchert Map Library, for instance, provides a gateway to numerous historical aerial photographs. One can zoom in further, focusing on specific locations like Hennepin County or Duluth, or browse a variety of images. Furthermore, a significant portion of this imagery is available for both viewing and downloading, often at no cost, opening up opportunities for research, education, and personal exploration.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) offers an exclusive service, Airphotos Online (APO), providing direct access to the latest color infrared aerial photographs. These photographs are particularly useful for forest management and give detailed visuals of the forest. For a broader selection of images, Landview provides a platform to view and download digital copies. The integration of Google Earth enhances the experience by allowing users to virtually explore Minnesota's landscapes from an aerial perspective. A satellite view further complements this offering, providing real-time visual updates.
Beyond these primary sources, various other platforms and services contribute to the availability of aerial imagery. Mngeo's Geospatial Image Service offers versatile access to Minnesota air photos, hillshades, and scanned topographic maps using a web map service (WMS), providing easy access to information. This method enables users to view these large files without having to download and store them on their own computer. In addition, the federal government provides a number of aerial photographs. This information is available through high-resolution orthoimagery (twin cities), national aerial photography programs (NAPP), national high altitude photography program (NHAP), and other USGS photography. Some imagery is available through the Farm Service Agency.
For those interested in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area, the Aerial Archives presents a dedicated collection of aerial photographs. This includes views of downtown Minneapolis, including the corporate headquarters of major companies such as 3M, and also covers Saint Paul, offering oblique aerial photographs of the city, including aerial views of its downtown area, major corporate buildings, and the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP). Furthermore, The Aerial Archives showcases an extensive selection of aerial maps, both current and historical, of Saint Paul, encompassing various features like airports, surrounding communities, and significant geographical features.
A noteworthy example of contemporary aerial imagery is the collection gathered in April and May of 2014 by Aerometric (now Quantum Spatial) for a partnership between multiple counties, municipalities, and the state of Minnesota. These images, taken after the snow cover had melted but before the trees were in full leaf, offer a unique glimpse of the landscape at a critical point in the year. The resulting imagery is 6-inch resolution, providing clear visuals of the environment.
Additionally, for specific areas, such as Adams Township in Mower County, aerial views reveal the specific arrangement of farmlands, trees, homes, and roads. These types of detailed images, often produced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, offer invaluable information for local planning and historical documentation. The Landsat GeoCover 2000 satellite image maps of Minnesota offer a broad overview, showcasing cities, rivers, lakes, mountains, and other geographical elements. It's important to highlight this resource while discussing the availability of historical aerial imagery.
Beyond historical context, modern applications of aerial imagery include live streaming views, such as those offered from Saint Paul, providing up-to-the-minute views of the capital city and its landmarks, as well as detailed weather forecasting information. Live satellite images of Minnesota can be used to get an idea of a local weather forecast.
One can see this data from the aerial views of the Minnesota Correctional Facility Oak Park Heights, which was photographed on Thursday, July 20, 2017.
To help you navigate this fascinating collection, here's a list of key websites, resources, and keywords:
Key Websites, Resources, and Keywords
- John R. Borchert Map Library: A starting point for accessing Minnesota historical aerial photographs online.
- Airphotos Online (APO): Provides access to recent color infrared aerial photographs by the Minnesota DNR, useful for forest management.
- Landview: Platform to view and download digital copies of aerial imagery at no charge.
- Google Earth: Explore Minnesota from an aerial perspective.
- Mngeo's Geospatial Image Service: Access to Minnesota air photos, hillshades, and scanned topographic maps via WMS.
- Aerial Archives: Collection of aerial photographs of Minneapolis and Saint Paul.
- National Aerial Photography Program (NAPP): High-resolution orthoimagery program.
- National High Altitude Photography Program (NHAP): Another source for high-altitude aerial photography.
- USGS Photography: United States Geological Survey photography archives.
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