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1966 Map of Lakin NW

Name: 1966 Topographic Map of Lakin NW
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1967
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1967

About this map

The Arkansas River corridor defines the southern portion of this mid-1960s survey, where the valley floor transitions into the rugged drainage of Hartland. This landscape is marked by the heavy infrastructure of the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroad, which parallels the river and passes through the settlement of Sutton. The presence of the Amazon Ditch highlights the critical role of water management and irrigation in Kearny County’s agricultural history, cutting across the terrain to sustain the arid high plains.

Industrial development is visible through numerous gas wells scattered across the northern sections, particularly around Sand Creek. Along with the localized Gravel Pits and a prominent Radio Tower, these features illustrate a mid-century economy built on resource extraction and transportation. The sharp contrast between the irrigated river valley and the deeply dissected uplands to the north reveals the topographical challenges faced by early Kansas developers and farmers.