1961 Map of Sheldon NW

About this map

The Maple River carves a deeply incised, meandering path across this Red River Valley landscape, creating a distinct band of topographic relief against the surrounding flat prairie. Surveyed in the early 1960s as part of the Missouri River Basin development program, the map reveals a highly structured agricultural grid spanning several townships including Eldridge, Walburg, and Highland. This era of rural North Dakota is characterized by dispersed farmsteads and essential community nodes, such as School No 83 and a localized Townhall. Small-scale aviation infrastructure like a Landing Strip and natural water features like the Flowing Well point to the practicalities of mid-century prairie life. The boundary between Cass and Ransom Counties serves as a primary geographic anchor for the region's southern tier, including the townships of Greene and Coburn.