2014 Map of Bourquim Hill

About this map

Velma serves as the primary named settlement in this corner of the Nebraska Sandhills, situated where the borders of Garden, Arthur, and Grant counties converge. The landscape is defined by a complex network of topographic depressions and family-named landmarks, most notably Bourquim Hill and its surrounding drainages. The map reveals a pattern of rural land use where distinct geographic basins are identified by surnames, such as Dunlap Valley, Benscoter Valley, and Stinsman Valley. These labels reflect the historic ranching and homesteading families who settled this area of western Nebraska. The topography is characterized by the rolling, grass-covered dunes typical of the region, with names like Casey Valley and Doherty Valley providing specific reference points for local history and genealogical research in this sparsely populated cattle country.