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1951 Map of La Salle

Name: 1951 Topographic Map of La Salle
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1970
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1970

About this map

The South Platte River carves through this agricultural corridor, defining a landscape dominated by an intricate network of irrigation systems. Water management is the primary driver of development here, seen in the convergence of the Latham Ditch, Union Ditch, and Platte Valley Canal No 2. These waterways supported the growth of railroad-oriented communities like La Salle and Evans, which emerged as vital hubs along the Union Pacific line.

Rural social life is anchored by landmarks such as Big Bend School and Beebe Draw School, while the presence of the Beebe Draw Gun Club near the Lower Latham Reservoir suggests the area's history as a destination for local recreation. The map reveals the transition of the high plains into a productive valley, where small settlements like East La Salle and Hambert were established to serve the surrounding farms and gravel operations.