1985 Map of Manhattan

About this map

Manhattan serves as the focal point of this 1980s landscape, situated at the confluence of the Kansas River and the Blue River. The region is defined by significant federal and educational land use, including the expansive Fort Riley Military Reservation to the southwest and the Konza Prairie Natural Area managed by Kansas State University. The Union Pacific railroad corridor tracks the northern bank of the Kansas River, connecting river towns such as Wamego and St Marys. Large-scale water management projects dominate the local geography, notably the massive Tuttle Creek Lake and Milford Lake, which have reshaped the drainage patterns of the Blue Valley. Researchers will find a mix of established university-linked urban growth and traditional agricultural townships, alongside military installations like Camp Whitside and Camp Funston.