1954 Map of McCook

About this map

McCook serves as a regional hub in this mid-century portrait of southwest Nebraska, where the High Plains transition into the distinctive Sand Hills. The landscape is defined by the vital water systems of the Republican River and the Platte River, which supported the development of towns like Imperial, Gothenburg, and Cozad. This era shows the established footprint of the Chicago Burlington and Quincy RR and the Union Pacific, alongside a massive network of irrigation and water management infrastructure. Notable reservoirs such as Enders Reservoir, Swanson Lake, and Harry Strunk Lake appear as significant landmarks for both recreation and agriculture. Small settlements such as Wilsonville, Lamar, and Moorefield populate the grid of county lines, illustrating the density of rural communities before the late-century consolidation of farming operations.