1955 Map of Lincoln

About this map

The Lincoln metropolitan area and the fertile plains of southeast Nebraska are captured here at a moment of significant infrastructure expansion. The landscape is defined by the radial drainage of the Big Blue River and Little Blue River systems, which historically dictated the paths of the Union Pacific and Burlington Northern railroads. A notable concentration of water management is visible in the network of reservoirs surrounding the capital, including Branched Oak Lake and Pawnee Lake, reflecting mid-century flood control and recreation efforts. To the south, the Homestead National Monument of America marks the historic site of the first claim under the Homestead Act, anchoring the region's pioneer heritage. In the northern reaches, the rolling terrain of the Bohemian Alps provides a distinct geographical contrast to the grid-patterned agricultural lands that dominate the counties of York, Fillmore, and Thayer.