1985 Map of Fargo

About this map

The Red River of the North defines the border between North Dakota and Minnesota, separating the growing urban centers of Fargo and Moorhead during the mid-1980s. This survey illustrates a regional landscape shaped by the Burlington Northern railroad lines that radiate from the city cores toward outlying agricultural settlements like Glyndon, Hawley, and Barnesville. To the east, the flat plains of the Red River Valley transition into a dense concentration of glacial water bodies, including Big Cormorant Lake and Lake Lida, which surround the community of Pelican Rapids. Conservation efforts are visible through the designation of the Bluestem Prairie State Natural Area and Buffalo River State Park, preserving remnants of the native grassland. The map also documents the presence of numerous small townships and rural junctions such as St Benedict and Rustad, offering a detailed view of the regional infrastructure and land use just before the rapid suburban expansion of the late 20th century.