1965 Map of Harcourt

About this map

Harcourt serves as the primary hub for this Webster County agricultural landscape, situated at the junction of the Chicago and North Western and the Fort Dodge Des Moines and Southern railroads. This mid-1960s survey reveals a highly managed prairie environment where natural watercourses like East Buttrick Creek and Crooked Creek are augmented by extensive infrastructure, including Drainage Ditch No 29 and Drainage Ditch No 48. These engineered features define the township boundaries of Clay, Burnside, Lost Grove, and Dayton. Small rural clusters such as Lundgren and Palm Grove sit along the rail lines, while the Lost Grove Cem and a local Park in Harcourt provide a window into the community's social and historical geography. The presence of a Gravel Pit indicates the local extraction industry supporting the region's road and rail networks.