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1952 Map of Brewster SE

Name: 1952 Topographic Map of Brewster SE
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1954
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1954

About this map

Fowler Ranch and other isolated homesteads anchor this 1952 topographic study of the Sandhills region in Blaine County. The landscape is dominated by the winding path of the Middle Loup River, which serves as the primary hydrological feature of the area. Human attempts to manage this water for agriculture are visible in the layout of the Rankin Ditch and the nearby Rankin Ditch (Abandoned), illustrating the challenges of permanent settlement in this semi-arid terrain.

Remote educational infrastructure is represented by School No 61, situated in the northern reaches of the quadrangle. Other landmarks like the Gaging Station and various ranch holdings, including the Hazen Ranch and McMillen Ranch, reflect a post-war ranching economy dependent on the river and seasonal tributaries like Rifle Creek. The survey, completed by the U.S. Geological Survey and the Bureau of Reclamation, was part of a larger effort to develop the Missouri River Basin.