1950 Map of Longfellow Lake

About this map

The Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge anchors the southwestern corner of this Sandhills landscape, where the high-plains terrain is defined by an intricate network of dry valleys and shallow lakes. The map reveals a post-war ranching landscape punctuated by remote educational outposts such as School No 18 and School No 32, serving a sparse population scattered across family-named landmarks like Ballingers Valley and Warneke Valley. The hydrology of the region is prominent, featuring numerous named basins including Longfellow Lake, R Kincaid Lake, and the specifically identified Dipping Vat Lake, indicating the area's primary livestock industry. The presence of numerous windmills and the Flowing Well point to the critical importance of groundwater management in this semi-arid Nebraska environment during the late 1940s.