1954 Map of Ord NW

About this map

The North Loup River valley in central Nebraska reveals a landscape deeply defined by water management and mid-century rural education. Surveyed in the early 1950s, this area at the border of Garfield and Valley counties shows an intricate network of irrigation, including the Burwell Sumter Canal and the Taylor-Ord Canal, supporting the local agricultural economy. The presence of several country schools, such as Haskell Creek Sch, Sunnyslope Sch, and Post Sch, speaks to a time when small, localized school districts were the heart of the farming community. Transportation history is evidenced by an Old Railroad Grade cutting across the terrain, marking the path of former rail commerce through the river flats. Other landmarks include the Sharp Field landing strip and numerous Windmill sites, typical of the high plains livestock operations during this era.