1952 Map of Grand Forks

About this map

The Red River of the North serves as the central artery for this mid-century landscape, defining the border between North Dakota and Minnesota. The twin cities of Grand Forks and East Grand Forks anchor a vast agricultural expanse, supported by a dense network of the Great Northern Railway and Northern Pacific Railway. This 1952 survey shows the region as it transitioned into the Cold War era, marked by the prominent presence of the Grand Forks Air Force Base west of the city. Beyond the urban centers, the map reveals a meticulously surveyed grid of township roads and small agricultural settlements like Hillsboro, Mayville, and Crookston. Conservation efforts are evident in the Kellys Slough National Wildlife Refuge and the Little Goose National Wildlife Refuge, while the eastern portion of the sheet reaches into the White Earth Indian Reservation.