Old Maps of Dawson, North Dakota for Academic Research

Study the evolution of Dawson with 28 high-resolution historic maps. Whether you're teaching, researching, or modeling changes in land use, these maps provide essential visual documentation of urban, environmental, and geographic change.

  • Analyze long-term change: Track patterns in development, transportation, and natural features.
  • Ideal for environmental or urban studies: Support academic projects with primary historical map data.
  • Use in the classroom or lab: Educators and researchers rely on these maps to bring historical context to life.

These maps are a powerful tool for teaching, research, and visualizing how Dawson has changed over the decades.


Dawson, ND maps

(28)
  1. 1952 Map of Tappen South, 1954 Print
    1952 Map of Tappen South, 1954 Print
    1952 Tappen South
    1954 Print · USGS
    In the early fifties, this Kidder County landscape was defined by the Northern Pacific rail corridor and a vast network of wetlands. Researchers can trace the layout of early rural life through landmarks like Camp Grassick, Sibley Cem, and the old School No 28.

  2. 1952 Map of Dawson, 1954 Print
    1952 Map of Dawson, 1954 Print
    1952 Dawson
    1954 Print · USGS
    Kidder County in the early 1950s was a landscape of expansive prairie lakes and railroad-dependent towns. Genealogists and local historians can trace the rural schoolhouse at Liberty Sch and the rail-side growth of Dawson near Alkaline Lake.
    2 unique versions available

  3. 1952 Map of Tappen North, 1954 Print
    1952 Map of Tappen North, 1954 Print
    1952 Tappen North
    1954 Print · USGS
    Kidder County's prairie pothole region is detailed here in the early fifties, showing a rural landscape organized by township lines and small rail-side settlements. Researchers can locate family landmarks like the Norwegian Ch, Fisher Cem, and McPhail Butte Historic Monument.

  4. 1952 Map of Steele NE, 1954 Print
    1952 Map of Steele NE, 1954 Print
    1952 Steele NE
    1954 Print · USGS
    Kidder County's prairie wetland system is captured here in the early fifties as the community of Dawson began its post-war decade. Genealogists and local historians can locate early landmarks like Allen Cem and rural educational sites like School No 1.
    2 unique versions available

  5. 1953 Map of Jamestown
    1953 Map of Jamestown
    1953 Jamestown
    1953 Print · USGS
    Southeastern North Dakota was a thriving rail and agricultural corridor in the early fifties, anchored by the James River. Researchers can trace the footprints of institutional landmarks like the North Dakota State Hospital and historic sites such as Whitestone Hill Battlefield Park.
    3 unique versions available

  6. 1956 Map of Jamestown
    1956 Map of Jamestown
    1956 Jamestown
    1956 Print · USGS
    The James River valley and the vast alkali lake country of south-central North Dakota are captured here in the mid-fifties. Genealogists can trace family farms across several counties, locating small rail stops like Medberry and monuments like Whitestone Hill Battlefield Park.

  7. 1975 Map of Tappen North, 1978 Print
    1975 Map of Tappen North, 1978 Print
    1975 Tappen North
    1978 Print · USGS
    Kidder County's prairie pothole region is captured here in the mid-seventies, showing a landscape of expansive lakes and rural townships. Genealogists and local historians can locate Fisher Cem, Norwegian Ch, and early school sites like School No 2.

  8. 1985 Map of Steele, 1994 Print
    1985 Map of Steele, 1994 Print
    1985 Steele
    1994 Print · USGS
    Central North Dakota’s prairie pothole region is showcased here in the mid-1980s, revealing a landscape of vital wetlands and rail-dependent towns. Researchers can trace family ties and land use near Steele, Napoleon, and the many waterfowl production areas like Slade National Wildlife Refuge.

  9. 2011 Map of Dawson, 2011 Print
    2011 Map of Dawson, 2011 Print
    2011 Dawson
    2011 Print · USGS
    Kidder County's prairie landscape is showcased here in the early twenty-first century, centered on the small community of Dawson. Researchers can trace the town's street grid along Cook St or explore the positioning of Lake Isabel and Alkali Lake in the surrounding countryside.

  10. 2011 Map of Steele NE, 2011 Print
    2011 Map of Steele NE, 2011 Print
    2011 Steele NE
    2011 Print · USGS
    Kidder County's prairie pothole region is captured here in the early twenty-first century, showing a landscape defined by water and agriculture. Researchers can locate the Allen Cemetery or trace the shorelines of Buffalo Lake and Sibley Lake across the rural grid.

  11. 2011 Map of Tappen North, 2011 Print
    2011 Map of Tappen North, 2011 Print
    2011 Tappen North
    2011 Print · USGS
    The northern reaches of the Tappen area in the early twenty-first century reveal a landscape of expansive prairie potholes and family-held lands. Researchers can trace the rural road grid past the Fisher Cemetery and natural landmarks like McPhail Butte and Big Muddy Lake.

  12. 2011 Map of Tappen South, 2011 Print
    2011 Map of Tappen South, 2011 Print
    2011 Tappen South
    2011 Print · USGS
    Kidder County's prairie pothole landscape is shown here in the early twenty-first century, characterized by its numerous lakes and remote farmsteads. Genealogists and local historians can locate Sibley Cemetery, Liberty Cemetery, and the grounds of Camp Grassick.

  13. 2014 Map of Dawson, 2014 Print
    2014 Map of Dawson, 2014 Print
    2014 Dawson
    2014 Print · USGS
    The small prairie community of Dawson is captured in the early twenty-first century, situated at a transition between open farmland and a sprawling lake system. Researchers can trace the local road grid and major thoroughfares like ND-3 as they navigate around the waters of Lake Isabel and Alkali Lake.

  14. 2014 Map of Steele NE, 2014 Print
    2014 Map of Steele NE, 2014 Print
    2014 Steele NE
    2014 Print · USGS
    Kidder County's prairie pothole landscape is captured here in the early twenty-first century, showing a remote agricultural region shaped by its lakes. Genealogists and local historians can locate Allen Cem and trace the outskirts of Dawson near Buffalo Lake.

  15. 2014 Map of Tappen South, 2014 Print
    2014 Map of Tappen South, 2014 Print
    2014 Tappen South
    2014 Print · USGS
    Kidder County's prairie wetland landscape is captured here in the early twenty-first century, showing the rural area south of the interstate. Genealogists and local historians can locate Sibley Cem and Liberty Cem or trace the shorelines of Lake Isabel and Lake Henry.

  16. 2014 Map of Tappen North, 2014 Print
    2014 Map of Tappen North, 2014 Print
    2014 Tappen North
    2014 Print · USGS
    Kidder County's prairie pothole region is documented in this 2014 survey, showing the interconnected wetlands and small-town fringes of central North Dakota. Researchers can locate the Fisher Cem and trace rural aviation sites like the M. Bodvig Airstrip and Tappen Airstrip.

  17. 2018 Map of Tappen North, 2018 Print
    2018 Map of Tappen North, 2018 Print
    2018 Tappen North
    2018 Print · USGS
    The North Dakota prairie near the town of Tappen is defined by its glacial lakes and sloughs in this modern survey. Researchers can locate family heritage sites like Buckeye Lutheran Cem or trace the shoreline of Sibley Lake.

  18. 2018 Map of Tappen South, 2018 Print
    2018 Map of Tappen South, 2018 Print
    2018 Tappen South
    2018 Print · USGS
    Kidder County at the close of the 2010s is a landscape of prairie wetlands and section-line roads. Researchers can trace local history at Sibley Cem and Koestler Cem or survey the waters of Lake Isabel and Harker Lake.

  19. 2018 Map of Steele NE, 2018 Print
    2018 Map of Steele NE, 2018 Print
    2018 Steele NE
    2018 Print · USGS
    Dawson and the surrounding prairie pothole region are documented here in the late twenty-tens. Local historians and genealogists can locate the Allen Cem and trace the shorelines of Buffalo Lake and Dead Buffalo Lake across a grid of rural section roads.

  20. 2018 Map of Dawson, 2018 Print
    2018 Map of Dawson, 2018 Print
    2018 Dawson
    2018 Print · USGS
    The northern plains of Kidder County are showcased in this modern survey of the town of Dawson. Genealogists and local historians can trace the lakeside developments near Lake Isabel and identify modern township boundaries like T139N R73W and T138N R72W.

  21. 2020 Map of Steele NE, 2020 Print
    2020 Map of Steele NE, 2020 Print
    2020 Steele NE
    2020 Print · USGS
    Kidder County's prairie landscape is mapped here in the modern era, showing the intersection of agricultural grids and vast wetlands. Genealogists and local historians can locate the Allen Cem and trace the shores of Buffalo Lake near the town of Dawson.

  22. 2020 Map of Dawson, 2020 Print
    2020 Map of Dawson, 2020 Print
    2020 Dawson
    2020 Print · USGS
    Dawson and the surrounding Kidder County prairie are documented here in the early twenty-first century. Researchers can trace the layout of Dawson or explore the shorelines and local roads around Alkali Lake, Lake Isabel, and Lake Etta.

  23. 2020 Map of Tappen North, 2020 Print
    2020 Map of Tappen North, 2020 Print
    2020 Tappen North
    2020 Print · USGS
    Kidder County's wetland-rich landscape is captured here in the contemporary era, showing the intersection of prairie pothole ecology and rural infrastructure. Researchers can trace local burial sites like Buckeye Lutheran Cem and Fisher Cem or locate regional landmarks like McPhail Butte.

  24. 2020 Map of Tappen South, 2020 Print
    2020 Map of Tappen South, 2020 Print
    2020 Tappen South
    2020 Print · USGS
    Kidder County's prairie pothole region comes into focus in this recent survey of the plains south of the rail line. Researchers can locate family sites near Dawson Cem or trace the shorelines of Lake Isabel and Lake Henry.

  25. 2024 Map of Tappen North, 2024 Print
    2024 Map of Tappen North, 2024 Print
    2024 Tappen North
    2024 Print · USGS
    Kidder County's prairie pothole region comes into focus during this mid-2020s survey, showing the intricate wetland systems north of Tappen. Researchers can trace rural cemetery sites like Buckeye Lutheran Cem and family-named landmarks like McPhail Butte.

Showing maps 1-25 of 28

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Frequently asked questions

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