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1955 Map of Broken Bow

Name: 1955 Topographic Map of Broken Bow
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1955
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1955

About this map

The Sand Hills dominate the northern landscape of this mid-century survey, giving way to the fertile river valleys that dictated the settlement patterns of central Nebraska. The Middle Loup River and North Loup River serve as the primary arteries for both water and commerce, with towns like Ord and Loup City serving as regional hubs. The intersection of the Chicago Burlington and Quincy RR and the Union Pacific RR further south illustrates the critical role of rail transport in moving agricultural goods from the heart of the Custer County area to wider markets.

Smaller, culturally distinct settlements such as Dannebrog and Nysted appear alongside established county seats like Broken Bow, reflecting the diverse immigrant foundations of the region. The map captures a moment when the transition from the rolling dunes of the north to the managed agricultural plains of the south was clearly defined by a network of creeks and rivers, including the Calamus River and Cedar River.