1981 Map of Miles Ranch

About this map

Miles Ranch sits at the heart of this 1981 topographic survey, illustrating the characteristic large-acreage landholding patterns of the Nebraska Sandhills. The landscape is defined by its subtle undulating contours and the intersection of three counties, where Holt, Wheeler, and Garfield counties meet. This period of mapping emphasizes the remote pastoral nature of the region, featuring only scattered outposts like Hanna Ranch and Schmidt Ranch. The presence of the Rush Lakebed and a solitary Grave suggest a landscape shaped by environmental change and isolated family histories. This survey provides an essential view for those researching the rural development of north-central Nebraska, where the tiny community of Dumas serves as one of the few named settlements among the vast ranchlands.