1949 Map of Box Butte NE

About this map

Niobrara River flows through a landscape defined by its agricultural utility and the intersection of three counties during the late 1940s. The northern portion of the region is characterized by water management systems, including an Irrigation Canal and a secondary Canal that tap into the river's resources. Further north, the drainage of Pepper Creek cuts through the terrain. The map captures a moment when rural education was localized at sites like School No 80, a critical landmark for genealogists tracing early families in this corner of Nebraska. The proliferation of the Windmill label across the townships highlights the necessity of groundwater for ranching and homesteading in this semi-arid environment, providing a detailed look at the physical infrastructure of mid-century high plains life at the borders of Box Butte, Dawes, and Sheridan counties.