1963 Map of Elk Point NE

About this map

The Big Sioux River creates a meandering natural border between Iowa and South Dakota, carving deep oxbows and loops across the landscape. Along the Iowa side, the Chicago Milwaukee St Paul and Pacific railroad tracks parallel the water, serving the agricultural and industrial needs of Plymouth County. The map reveals a rural infrastructure defined by scattered landmarks like the Murphy Sch in Jefferson and several extraction sites including Gravel Pits and a Shale Pit. The complex hydrology of the river valley is evidenced by Horseshoe Lake, a remnant of the river's shifting course, while smaller tributaries such as Deer Creek and Rock Creek drain the surrounding uplands of Westfield and Sioux.