Loading map...

1985 Map of Grafton

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

USGS Topo · Published 1985

About this map

The Red River Valley's agricultural heartland unfolds along the border of North Dakota and Minnesota, anchored by the seat of Grafton. This mid-1980s landscape is defined by the meandering Red River of the North and its intricate network of drainage systems, including Judicial Ditch No 9 and County Ditch No 13. The region's dependence on rail transport is evident in the path of the Burlington Northern and Soo Line railroads, which connect smaller grain-handling points like Minto, Voss, and Ardoch.

Conservation efforts are prominent across the flat terrain, notably at the Ardoch National Wildlife Refuge and the Prairie Chicken State Wildlife Mgmt Area. This survey provides a clear view of the rural settlement patterns before modern consolidation, preserving the locations of smaller communities such as Veseleyville, Warsaw, and Inkster. The map also captures the various branches of the Park River, which weave through the section lines of Walsh and Grand Forks counties.