1954 Map of Bismarck

About this map

Standing Rock Indian Reservation dominates the southern landscape of this mid-century survey, where the Missouri River transforms into the expansive Oahe Reservoir. The state capital of Bismarck and neighboring Mandan serve as the central hub for the region's transportation network, including the Northern Pacific railroad and major roadways revised here through 1966. The geography is defined by a series of distinct landmarks such as Dog Tooth Buttes and Heart Butte, alongside the waters of Lake Tschida. This era reflects a transition in land use, balancing the established agriculture of settlements like Fort Yates and Selfridge with the conservation efforts seen in several protected areas, including the Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge and Pretty Rock National Wildlife Refuge. Cultural history is noted at the Fort Lincoln State Park Museum, marking the long-standing significance of this river crossing.