1900 Map of Pingree

About this map

The James River valley carves a deep, winding path through this central North Dakota landscape, creating a chain of interconnected water bodies including Arrowwood Lake, Jim Lake, and Mud Lake. Published in 1921 but based on 1900 surveys, the map documents the arrival of the railroad as the primary engine of settlement across the prairie. Two major lines intersect the region: the Northern Pacific RR running north-south through Pingree, and the Minneapolis St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie RR cutting diagonally through Kensal and Courtenay. These rail corridors established the early grain-handling hubs and community centers like Buchanan, Edmunds, and Bordulac during a period of rapid agricultural expansion. Away from the tracks, the terrain is dotted with glacial features such as Spiritwood Lake and Medicine Lake, surrounded by wide townships like New Washington and Courtenay.