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1958 Map of Lamar

Name: 1958 Topographic Map of Lamar
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1958
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1958

About this map

The Arkansas River corridor defines the southern landscape of this mid-century survey, supporting a string of agricultural and rail-oriented settlements. Major water management projects dominate the terrain, notably the massive John Martin Reservoir and a system of canals like the Amity Canal that diverted river water to sustain the valley. This era reveals a transition in military land use, marking the location of Camp Amache (Distroyed) near Granada and the Arlington Air Force (abandoned) field farther north.

Away from the river, the vast prairie is dotted with isolated landmarks such as Cow Butte and the Arishapa Bluff. Small-town life is anchored by local institutions including the Kendrick Church and rural schoolhouses like Melonfield School. The rail lines of the Missouri Pacific and Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe trace east-west routes through towns like Eads, Haswell, and Lamar, highlighting the region's reliance on the iron road for trade and travel.