1949 Map of Big Falls

About this map

The North Loup River winds through the heart of this landscape, its path marked by Horseshoe Falls and Big Falls. The 1949 field check reveals a ranching economy defined by family-named holdings such as the Wolfenden Ranch, Boyer Ranch, and Newton Ranch. These outposts represent the human footprint across the expansive Gillaspie and Calf Creek terrains. The map documents the specific locations of rural education, including School No 66, Starr Sch, and Dry Valley Sch, which served as vital community anchors for the surrounding cattle operations. Between the river and the Big Dry Valley, numerous water features like Coleman Lake, Carpenter Lake, and several instances of a Flowing Well indicate the importance of water management in these high Nebraska plains. The presence of Starr Camp and Carrier Camp further suggests the specialized land use during this mid-century period.