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1897 Map of Eckelson

Name: 1897 Topographic Map of Eckelson
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1897
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1897

About this map

Glacial depressions and water bodies dominate this prairie landscape in Barnes and Stutsman Counties, where the Northern Pacific R. R. serves as the primary artery for settlement. The terrain is marked by a significant chain of lakes, including the elongated Eckelson Lakes, Fox Lake, and Hobart Lake, which break the geometric precision of the township grid. These water sources likely dictated the placement of early railroad towns like Sanborn and Eckelson.

To the east, the deep incision of the Sheyenne River valley creates a stark contrast to the surrounding flatlands, leading into Valley City. Sparse settlements such as Svea, Hastings, and Litchville illustrate the early agrarian distribution across townships like Skandia and Greenland. The map also captures the southwest corner where the James River enters the frame near Dickey, highlighting the importance of river corridors in this early Dakota Territory development.