1941 Map of Drayton

About this map

The meandering Red River of the North defines the borderland between North Dakota and Minnesota, carving deep loops through the flat agricultural expanse of the Red River Valley. In this 1939 survey, the landscape is heavily engineered for drainage, as evidenced by an extensive network of ditches including Judicial Ditch No 10 and County Ditch No 6. The Northern Pacific railroad runs parallel to the river on the North Dakota side, anchoring the growth of settlements like Drayton, Bowesmont, and Herrick. The map reveals a densely settled rural community served by numerous neighborhood schools and churches, such as Skjeberg Ch, Lincoln Sch, and Willow Grove Sch. Regional infrastructure is further noted by the Airway Beacon near Drayton and the Township Hall in the eastern townships, illustrating the organized civic and transport life of the late depression era.