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1948 Map of Fessenden

Name: 1948 Topographic Map of Fessenden
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1948
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1948

About this map

The James River meanders across the northern plains of Wells County, shaping the agricultural landscape of central North Dakota in the mid-1940s. The regional hub of Fessenden serves as a focal point, situated along the Minneapolis St Paul and Sault Ste Marie railroad line. The map reveals a dense network of early 20th-century rural infrastructure, specifically the high concentration of township schools like Bloomington Sch No 1 and Oshkosh Sch, which reflect the decentralized education system of the era.

Local genealogy and social history are well-preserved through several family-named and denominational landmarks, including Brynjulson Cem and the German Baptist Cem. In the southern reaches, significant water features such as Duck Lake and Lake Ontario sit near Rocky Run, providing a contrast to the geometric section lines of the surrounding townships. The inclusion of Mohr Field near the county seat highlights early aviation infrastructure in this prairie region.