1985 Map of Leeds

About this map

Burlington Northern and Soo Line tracks crisscross this prairie landscape, defining the growth of farming communities across Benson and Ramsey counties in the mid-1980s. The region is characterized by a high concentration of protected wetlands, including the National Waterfowl Production Area and numerous state wildlife management areas that surround glacial water bodies like Lake Ibsen and the Chain Lakes. Near the southeastern corner, the map details the northern reaches of the Fort Totten Indian Reservation and the extensive shoreline of Devils Lake at West Bay. Smaller townships such as Esmond, Knox, and Minnewaukan serve as local hubs, preserved here alongside rural landmarks like the Knox Ch and several pioneer-era burial grounds including Leeds Cem. The intricate network of coulees and lakes highlights a drainage system typical of the North Dakota drift prairie before significant modern hydrological changes.