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1950 Map of Lawrence West

Name: 1950 Topographic Map of Lawrence West
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1968
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1968

About this map

The Kansas River and Wakarusa River define the alluvial landscape of this Douglas County quadrangle, where the westward expansion of Lawrence meets the rural townships of Kanwaka and Wakarusa. This 1950 survey, photorevised in 1967, documents the mid-century evolution of the University of Kansas, including the development of its West Campus. The transition from agrarian roots to suburban growth is visible in the presence of several country schools like Brackett Sch and School No 6, contrasted with newer car-culture landmarks such as a Drive-in Theater, a Drag Strip, and the Sunset Hills Shopping Sch.

Geographic landmarks like Shank Hill and Baldwin rise above the river plains, while numerous small cemeteries such as Pioneer Cem and Richland Cem offer touchpoints for local genealogists. The infrastructure of the era is marked by the Turnpike and the path of Washington Creek, showing a landscape still heavily influenced by its natural drainage patterns even as modern transport corridors began to reshape the outskirts of the university city.