1958 Map of Grand Island

About this map

The Platte River valley dominates this mid-century portrait of south-central Nebraska, revealing a landscape defined by industrial expansion and extensive water management. Large-scale federal installations like the Cornhusker Ordnance Plant near Grand Island and the U S Naval Ammunition Depot east of Hastings anchor the regional economy. The map traces the intricate braiding of the river into channels such as the North Channel Platte River and the South Channel Platte River, alongside the vital infrastructure of the Tri-County Canal and Supply Canal. To the south, the Harlan County Reservoir marks a significant modification of the Republican River basin. The survey details a dense rail network, including the Union Pacific RR and the Chicago Burlington and Quincy RR, which historically connected agricultural hubs like Kearney, Lexington, and Holdrege to broader markets.