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1950 Map of Cedar Top

Name: 1950 Topographic Map of Cedar Top
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1950
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1950

About this map

Spanish Diggings stands as a prominent archaeological and geological landmark in this mid-century survey of the high plains. Located near the border of Niobrara and Platte counties, this area is characterized by a sparse network of ranch roads and intermittent water sources like Spanish Creek and Willow Creek. The landscape is dominated by the elevations of Sheep Mountain, which includes distinctive formations such as Horse Tooth, Cedar Top, and Pin Top.

A network of windmills across the quadrangle highlights the critical reliance on groundwater for livestock in this arid environment. The map records the terrain just as aerial photography was becoming a primary tool for the Missouri River Basin development program, capturing the primitive road system and isolated water features like Spouting Spring before significant modern ranching infrastructure alterations occurred.