1961 Map of Ellis

About this map

Big Creek meanders through the heart of Ellis, Kansas, providing a natural focal point for this Great Plains community. The 1961 data, updated with 1978 aerial revisions, shows a landscape defined by the intersection of traditional infrastructure and modern energy extraction. The Union Pacific railroad corridor anchors the town center, while the surrounding prairie is dotted with a high density of oil wells, particularly within the Pleasant Hill Oil Field. Local civic life is reflected in the fairground, Golf Course, and Swimming Pool concentrated near the water. For genealogists, the map identifies both Mt Hope Cem and St Marys Cem on the town's periphery. The transition from agricultural township layouts to industrial use is evident in the numerous drill holes and gravel pits scattered across the Trego and Ellis county line.