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1948 Map of Sawyer

Name: 1948 Topographic Map of Sawyer
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1966
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1966

About this map

The Souris River meanders through a distinct valley in this 1948 survey, shaping the development and topography of the Sawyer area. The settlement is centered on the Minneapolis St Paul and Sault Ste Marie railroad, which parallels the river valley and provided the primary transportation link for this prairie landscape. Landmarks like Skinner Hill and Black Butte rise above the surrounding flats of New Prairie and North Prairie, providing natural orientation points for local residents.

Local history and genealogy are anchored by specific community structures, including the Mennonite Ch and the Sawyer Cem located just north of the river. The map details the rural infrastructure of the era, from the Schilling Bridge crossing the Souris to the various drainage features like Oak Creek and Bonnes Coulee. These features illustrate a period when small-scale agriculture and rail-side commerce defined life in Ward and McHenry Counties.