1912 Map of Moses Lake

Settlement patterns in the early twentieth century were sparse, concentrated around the small town of Neppel and the village of Mae. Educational needs of the burgeoning agricultural community were served by rural outposts such as Hiawatha School and West Shore School. The Northern Pacific railroad clips the northeastern corner, providing a vital connection for the region. This 1912 survey, reprinted later for continued use, documents the area's transition from a sagebrush desert into a developing ranching and farming district.