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1953 Map of Scotia NE

Name: 1953 Topographic Map of Scotia NE
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1955
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1955

About this map

The rolling agricultural landscape of Greeley and Howard Counties is documented here as it appeared in the early 1950s, shortly after the Bureau of Reclamation began mapping for the Missouri River Basin project. The rural social infrastructure is well-defined, showing a network of localized institutions such as Salem Ch and several district schools including School No 30, School No 52, and the Fairview Sch. These small structures, often situated at lonely crossroads, reveal the decentralized nature of Nebraska farming life before the extensive consolidation of the late 20th century.

Water management and transportation are central to the terrain, with the Chicago Burlington and Quincy railroad following the path of the West Branch Spring Creek in the northeast. Numerous windmills are noted across the townships of Center, O'Connor, and Fish Creek, indicating a heavy reliance on groundwater for livestock and homesteads. The map also traces the drainage patterns of Munson Creek and Moffet Creek as they flow toward the southern county line.