1930 Map of Pekin

About this map

Pekin and Tolna serve as the primary hubs of this Nelson County prairie landscape, situated along the Great Northern railroad line. The map captures a moment when rural life was anchored by local education, evidenced by numerous numbered schoolhouses such as School No 1 and School No 2 scattered across townships like Adler, Dayton, and Wamduska. The northern half of the survey is dominated by the intricate shorelines of the U. S. Bird Refuge Stump Lake, alongside smaller bodies of water including Rose Lake, Swan Lake, and Coon Lake. To the south, the Sheyenne River winds through the terrain, providing a natural drainage corridor for the surrounding agricultural lands. This survey reflects the established section-line road grid and rail-dependent economy of North Dakota's eastern plains before the significant consolidation of rural districts.