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1940s Maps of Ward County, North Dakota

Explore 35 historic maps of Ward County from the 1940s. These maps offer a rare glimpse into what life looked like during the 1940s — showing old roads, neighborhoods, homes, and landmarks that have changed or disappeared over time.

Whether you're researching your family's past, planning a metal detecting trip, or studying how Ward County's landscape evolved across the 1940s, these high-resolution maps are a powerful tool for exploring the history of this region.

  • Focus on a specific era: All maps on this page are from the 1940s, giving you a focused view of this time period.
  • See what’s changed: Compare century-old streets, trails, and buildings to today's modern landscape using overlays and satellite layers.
  • Research with precision: Use these maps for genealogy, historical research, land use analysis, or educational projects.
  • View, download, or print: Maps are fully viewable online in high resolution, and can be downloaded or printed for your own records.

Start exploring Ward County's history through authentic maps from the 1940s. This is your window into the past.

Ward County, ND maps

(35)
  1. 1947 Map of Tolley, 1963 Print
    1947 Map of Tolley, 1963 Print
    1947 Tolley
    1963 Print · USGS
    The North Dakota prairie near the Mouse River comes to life in this post-war survey of Renville and Ward Counties. Genealogists and local historians can trace rural school locations and family burial sites like Greenbush Cem or St Anthony Cem, while tracking the path of the Great Northern railroad.
  4. 1947 Map of Bowbells, 1966 Print
    1947 Map of Bowbells, 1966 Print
    1947 Bowbells
    1966 Print · USGS
    Bowbells sits at the busy junction of two major rail lines just after the war, anchoring a landscape of scattered prairie townships. Genealogists and local historians can locate Bowbells Cem, early country schools like School No 4, and the CCC Dam along Stony Creek.
  7. 1948 Map of Kenmare
    1948 Map of Kenmare
    1948 Kenmare
    1948 Print · USGS
    Kenmare and its surrounding townships are shown in the late 1940s, situated along the river valley and its expansive bird refuge. Genealogists and local historians can trace family-named sites like Rose Hill Cem and Denmark Sch No 1.
    2 unique versions available
  10. 1948 Map of Norma
    1948 Map of Norma
    1948 Norma
    1948 Print · USGS
    In the late 1940s, this portion of the North Dakota plains was defined by its railroad connectivity and a network of rural school districts. Genealogists can trace family footprints near the Town Hall or locate specific holdings by School No 1 and Norma.
    2 unique versions available
  13. 1948 Map of Tolley
    1948 Map of Tolley
    1948 Tolley
    1948 Print · USGS
    Renville and Ward counties are captured here in the late 1940s as the railroad and the Souris River defined the local economy. Genealogists and historians can trace family roots through the placement of Trinity Cem, the village of Tolley, and several rural schoolhouses like School No. 4.
  16. 1948 Map of Donnybrook
    1948 Map of Donnybrook
    1948 Donnybrook
    1948 Print · USGS
    Donnybrook was a bustling rail hub in the late 1940s where two major lines intersected along the Des Lacs River. Genealogists can locate several rural landmarks including Odd Fellows Cem, Church Hill, and a network of numbered district schools.
  19. 1948 Map of Burlington
    1948 Map of Burlington
    1948 Burlington
    1948 Print · USGS
    The river valleys and rail junctions around Burlington are captured here in the late 1940s as the Missouri River Basin development began. Local historians can trace family roots through landmarks like Graham Sch, School No 4, and the Evangelical Ch.
    2 unique versions available
  22. 1948 Map of Velva, 1966 Print
    1948 Map of Velva, 1966 Print
    1948 Velva
    1966 Print · USGS
    North Dakota's prairie landscape comes alive in this post-war survey of McHenry and Ward Counties, where the Souris River dictates the path of early rail and settlement. Genealogists and historians can trace numerous rural landmarks, including Shenkjer Cem, Howe School, and the community of Velva.
  25. 1948 Map of Sawyer, 1966 Print
    1948 Map of Sawyer, 1966 Print
    1948 Sawyer
    1966 Print · USGS
    North Dakota's prairie landscape is defined by the winding Souris River and the rail-driven growth of Sawyer just after the war. Genealogists and local historians can locate the Mennonite Ch, Sawyer Cem, and the old Schilling Bridge.
  28. 1948 Map of Burlington, 1968 Print
    1948 Map of Burlington, 1968 Print
    1948 Burlington
    1968 Print · USGS
    Ward County's river valleys and prairie townships are captured here at the close of the 1940s as the regional irrigation and rail networks matured. Genealogists can locate specific rural landmarks including Graham Sch, North Prairie Ch, and the many numbered schools of Eureka and Tatman.
  31. 1948 Map of Minot NW, 1976 Print
    1948 Map of Minot NW, 1976 Print
    1948 Minot NW
    1976 Print · USGS
    North Dakota's prairie landscape near Minot is documented here in the late 1940s, showing a transition from traditional rail-based transport to modern rural development. Researchers can trace historic rail lines like the Great Northern and find rural sites like Ralston and School No 2.
    2 unique versions available
  34. 1948 Map of Surrey, 1981 Print
    1948 Map of Surrey, 1981 Print
    1948 Surrey
    1981 Print · USGS
    Ward County's prairie landscape is captured here in the mid-twentieth century as the rail lines and river valleys defined local life. Researchers can locate vanished landmarks like Bell Sch No 3, the Town Hall in Surrey, and trace the path of the Soo Line.
  37. 1949 Map of Tolley SE
    1949 Map of Tolley SE
    1949 Tolley SE
    1949 Print · USGS
    North Dakota's rural heartland is captured here in the late 1940s, showing a landscape of spread-out farmsteads and township life. Genealogists can trace family roots at Greenbush Cem or locate the old White Ash Sch along the Des Lacs River.
  40. 1949 Map of Burlington NW
    1949 Map of Burlington NW
    1949 Burlington NW
    1949 Print · USGS
    The Ward and Renville county line in the late 1940s is a landscape of scattered rural schoolhouses and prairie pothole terrain. Genealogists and local historians can trace the foundations of the community through several district schools, including Stamen School No 2 and School No 4.
    3 unique versions available
  43. 1949 Map of Hartland
    1949 Map of Hartland
    1949 Hartland
    1949 Print · USGS
    Ward and Renville Counties are captured here in the late forties, showing a prairie landscape defined by rail lines and rural schools. You can trace the Great Northern tracks through Hartland and locate local landmarks like Viola School No 1 and St Anthony Cem.
    2 unique versions available
  46. 1949 Map of Sawyer
    1949 Map of Sawyer
    1949 Sawyer
    1949 Print · USGS
    Near the mid-century mark, the Souris River valley in Ward County supported a network of rural schools and townships. Genealogists can trace the locations of Roosevelt Sch No 1 and Lignite Sch No 3 or the Mennonite Ch near Sawyer.
  49. 1949 Map of Mosquito Butte
    1949 Map of Mosquito Butte
    1949 Mosquito Butte
    1949 Print · USGS
    The North Dakota prairie near the Burke, Ward, and Mountrail county lines is captured here in the late 1940s. Genealogists and local historians can locate early landmarks like Buck Sch and Bethlehem Ch or trace the drainage of Christensen Slough.
  52. 1949 Map of Bowbells
    1949 Map of Bowbells
    1949 Bowbells
    1949 Print · USGS
    Bowbells and its surrounding townships thrive as a vital rail hub in the late 1940s. Genealogists can locate family landmarks like St Joseph Cem, School No 2, and the local Golf Course along the banks of Stony Creek.
  55. 1949 Map of Minot NW
    1949 Map of Minot NW
    1949 Minot NW
    1949 Print · USGS
    The high plains of Ward County in the late 1940s are defined here by deep coulees and critical rail junctions along the Souris River. Local historians can trace early prairie education at School No 1 and School No 2 or follow the old tracks through Ralston and Drady.
  58. 1949 Map of Sawyer NE
    1949 Map of Sawyer NE
    1949 Sawyer NE
    1949 Print · USGS
    The high North Dakota prairie in the late 1940s was a land of expanding railroads and rural school districts. Genealogists and historians can trace the early layout of farming communities via Grassland School No 1, Grassland School No 2, and the Great Northern rail line.
  61. 1949 Map of Deering NW
    1949 Map of Deering NW
    1949 Deering NW
    1949 Print · USGS
    The Ward and Renville County line in the late 1940s is captured here, showing a rural landscape defined by prairie watercourses and the Great Northern rail. Genealogists can locate family landmarks such as Bethany Ch and local schools including School No 2.
  64. 1949 Map of Carpio NE
    1949 Map of Carpio NE
    1949 Carpio NE
    1949 Print · USGS
    The Renville and Ward County borderlands in the late 1940s show a landscape shaped by river management and rural settlement. Trace the history of local families at St Henrys Cemetery or follow the railroad line past School No 3 and St Marys Bridge.
    2 unique versions available
  67. 1949 Map of Deering SW
    1949 Map of Deering SW
    1949 Deering SW
    1949 Print · USGS
    Ward County townships show their mid-century rural character in this 1949 survey. Genealogists can locate decentralized landmarks like Emmanuel Ch and several numbered prairie schoolhouses, including School No 1 and School No 4.
    3 unique versions available
  70. 1949 Map of Carpio
    1949 Map of Carpio
    1949 Carpio
    1949 Print · USGS
    Ward and Renville Counties are captured here shortly after the war, showing the Des Lacs River valley as it was before modern changes. Genealogists can trace family roots through local landmarks like Skarsbo Sch, Nazareth Ch, and St Johns Cem.
    4 unique versions available
  73. 1949 Map of Bowbells SE
    1949 Map of Bowbells SE
    1949 Bowbells SE
    1949 Print · USGS
    North Dakota's northern plains are captured here just after the war, showing a landscape defined by the Des Lacs Migratory Bird Refuge. Local historians can trace early section-line roads to Nine Mile Corner and the Lake View School No 2.
Showing maps 1-25 of 35

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Frequently asked questions

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