1953 Map of Jamestown

About this map

Jamestown and Valley City anchor this mid-century look at the North Dakota prairie, where a complex network of rail lines and early aviation fields defined the regional economy. The landscape is dotted with numerous glacial lakes and conservation areas, including the Chase Lake National Wildlife Refuge and the Slade National Wildlife Refuge. Traces of earlier infrastructure are evident in the Old RR grade near Oakes, while several regional parks like Whitestone Battlefield State Park preserve local heritage. The drainage patterns of the James River and Pipestem Creek carve through the agricultural heartland of Stutsman County and its neighbors. Smaller settlements such as Crystal Springs, Ypsilanti, and Montpelier appear alongside essential landmarks like St Marys Church and Pruetz Muni Airport, documenting the distribution of community life across the plains.