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1985 Map of Goodland

Name: 1985 Topographic Map of Goodland
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1985
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1985

About this map

The High Plains of Western Kansas are defined here by a network of dendritic drainage patterns and a strictly geometric road grid, centered on the hub of Goodland in Sherman County. The transportation corridor follows the path of the Union Pacific and Kyle railroads, linking the grain-handling settlements of Ruleton, Caruso, Edson, and Brewster. This era of mapping shows the region's transition into modern aviation and infrastructure, with several facilities including Renner Field and Hutton Airport serving the expansive agricultural landscape.

Water management and natural drainage are central to the terrain, as seen in the various branches of Beaver Creek and the South Fork Sappa Creek to the north, and the headwaters of the Smoky Hill River to the south. Local landmarks like the Soldiers Memorial County Park and Colby Jr College indicate the social and educational centers of these communities during the mid-1980s. A series of deep draws, such as Wild Horse Draw and Armstrong Draw, cut through the plains, revealing the underlying topography that dictates the placement of rural homesteads and sandpits.