1985 Map of Ainsworth

About this map

Ainsworth and Bassett serve as the primary hubs in this mid-1980s survey of the northern Sandhills region, where the Chicago and North Western railroad parallels the southern corridor near Route 20. The landscape is defined by the deeply incised valleys of the Niobrara River and the Keya Paha River, which cut through a high prairie plateau marked by features like Huddle Table and Antelope Peak. Numerous small settlements such as Springview, Stuart, and Mariaville are linked by a network of rural roads, while isolated landing strips like Gipson Landing Strip and Stoltenberg Landing Strip highlight the reliance on aviation in this sparsely populated cattle country. The transition from the rugged river breaks to the flatter tablelands is clearly visible, punctuated by conservation lands including the Thomas Creek State Wildlife Management Area.