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1892 Map of Coldwater

Name: 1892 Topographic Map of Coldwater
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1892
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1892

About this map

Coldwater and its surrounding prairie landscapes are defined here just as the frontier period was closing in south-central Kansas. The Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe R. R. cuts a diagonal path through the northwest, serving as the primary artery for cattle and grain transport. Smaller hubs like Nescatunga and Protection appear as established grid-planned townships, while southern settlements like Avilla and Evansville highlight the early spread of homesteaders across the High Plains.

The topography transitions from the northern drainages of Mule Creek and Cavalry Creek toward the wide basin of the Cimarron River at the map's southern edge. The gridded township system is clearly visible, superimposed over the natural breaks and ravines. This 1890s survey captures the region after the initial land rushes but before the intense agricultural developments of the 20th century transformed these rural town clusters.