1899 Map of Alexandria

About this map

The James River carves a deeply incised path through the western edge of this prairie landscape, defining the topography of Hanson County in the late nineteenth century. Surveyed in 1894-95, the map captures a pivotal era of rail-driven expansion across southeastern South Dakota. The convergence of multiple lines, including the Chicago Milwaukee and St. Paul R.R. and the Chicago St. Paul Minneapolis and Omaha R.R., created a network of emerging trade centers such as Alexandria, Spencer, and Fulton.