Loading map...

1951 Map of Merino SE

Name: 1951 Topographic Map of Merino SE
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1984
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1984

About this map

The rolling plains of Washington County are captured here in a transition between mid-century ranching and later land use. The landscape is defined by its water management and agricultural infrastructure, most notably at the Flying YJ Ranch and along the drainages of the Slough and Twenty-two. These waterways provide a stark contrast to the nearby Barren terrain, illustrating the critical importance of irrigation and natural drainage in the High Plains.

Social and civic life for the region's ranching families centered on the North Buena Vista School and South Buena Vista School, reflecting the era's rural education patterns before further consolidation. The map also documents resource extraction through a Gravel Pit and numerous windmills, which were the lifeblood of these homesteads. This 1951 survey, updated in 1984, shows a resilient working landscape where roads lead toward regional hubs like Akron and Fremont Butte.