1954 Map of Spalding

About this map

Cedar River dominates this mid-century landscape, winding through a valley defined by the Union Pacific railroad corridor. The village of Spalding serves as the primary hub, showing a concentrated street grid and rail infrastructure typical of Nebraska's agricultural service centers during this era. The surrounding plains are divided into distinct named regions such as Bonanza, Dublin, and Leo Valley, each supported by a network of one-room schoolhouses including School No 47 and School No 22. This 1954 survey, with 1974 photo-revisions, highlights the rural transition from horse-and-wagon spacing to more modern road networks. For genealogists and local historians, the placement of St Michaels Cem and the small settlement of Freeman offers precise locations for family research in Greeley County. The map provides a clear picture of the Missouri River Basin development area, where water features like Mud Creek dictated the placement of schools and homesteads.