1960 Map of Sheldon

About this map

The Northern Pacific railroad corridor anchors the northern plains of Ransom County, passing through the established town of Sheldon. At this time in the early 1960s, the landscape is defined by the sharp contrast between the rectilinear section lines of the upland prairies and the winding, heavily vegetated valley of the Sheyenne River. This southern waterway serves as a focal point for local transportation, marked by several named crossings such as the McClellan Bridge, Legg Bridge, and Larson Bridge. These landmarks, alongside the small settlement of Anselm, illustrate the rural infrastructure supporting the Missouri River Basin's development. The map meticulously records the transition from the open fields of Greene and Coburn townships to the more complex terrain of Shenford and Owego along the river bluffs, where small-scale industry like a Gravel Pit is also visible.