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1951 Map of Naper SW

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

USGS Topo · Published 1951

About this map

The Niobrara River winds across this north-central Nebraska landscape, carving a distinct valley between the Basin and Cleveland regions. This mid-century survey documents a rural ranching economy where property boundaries often follow natural watercourses like Otter Creek and Beaver Creek. The map provides specific locations for livestock operations such as Davis Ranch and Tienken Ranch, which served as local anchors in this sparsely populated territory.

A network of country schools, including School No 51 and Frost Valley Sch, illustrates the organized rural school districts of the era. Notably, the map identifies School No 19 (Abandoned), marking a point where the community footprint was already shifting by the 1950s. The convergence of Clay Creek with its East Branch and West Branch highlights the intricate drainage patterns that defined the grazing lands of Holt County.