1949 Map of Atcoal

About this map

Strip mines and a sprawling Coal Field dominate the southern landscape of this 1949 survey, marking the heavy industrial character of the borderlands between Divide and Burke Counties. At the intersection of the Minneapolis St Paul and Sault Ste Marie and Great Northern railroads, the settlement of Atcoal serves as a nexus for the region's extractive economy. The map reveals a transition from the industrial activity in the south to a more dispersed agricultural pattern in the north, evidenced by isolated rural schoolhouses such as School No 1, School No 2, and School No 4. The terrain is characterized by numerous small depressions and ponds, with drainage provided by the West Branch of Short Creek. This survey captures the area just south of the Canada United States border, documenting the vital rail sidings and infrastructure, including Strange Siding, that supported mid-century North Dakota coal production.