1950 Map of Lawrence West

About this map

The University of Kansas anchors the eastern edge of this landscape, representing the western expansion of Lawrence at the mid-century mark. Moving west from the campus, the terrain transitions into a series of rural townships, including Kanwaka and Wakarusa, where the Wakarusa River carves a winding path through the valley. This 1950 field-checked map illustrates a well-developed network of country schools, such as Kanwaka Sch, Sigel Sch, and Brackett Sch, which served the farming communities before widespread consolidation. The presence of Pioneer Cem and Richland Cem provides valuable landmarks for those tracing early settler roots in Douglas County. Along the southern reaches, Washington Creek and Yankee Tank Creek feed the main river, while prominent elevations like Shank Hill rise above the agricultural flats. Local industry is visible in several Quarry sites scattered near the ridgelines, marking the extraction of the area's limestone resources.