1948 Map of Ashby

About this map

Ashby and Hyannis anchor the southern corridor of this Nebraska Sandhills landscape, situated along the tracks of the Chicago Burlington and Quincy railroad. The map reveals an extensive network of family-owned ranching operations, including the Adamss Ranch, Becker Ranch, and Keller Ranch, which utilize the natural meadows and valleys of the region. This 1948 survey documents the vital water resources that sustain the cattle industry here, ranging from the prominent Mother Lake and Alkali Lake to numerous flowing wells and smaller basins like Dipping Vat Lake. The social organization of these rural townships is marked by the presence of the Ferguson-Becker Sch, Keller Sch, and a Consolidated Sch, showing how education was localized among the ranches. Landforms such as Hospital Valley and Indian Hill provide the topographic definition for this unique grazing country.