1971 Map of Spotted Horse Valley

About this map

Spotted Horse Valley defines this Sandhills landscape along the border of Arthur and Keith counties in the early 1970s. The region is characterized by a sparse network of remote cattle operations and small rural facilities, reflecting the late 20th-century ranching economy of western Nebraska. Notable landholdings include the Vasa Ranch, Dean Simpson Ranch, and Hiner Ranch, all clustered around the valley floor. Education in this isolated area was anchored by School No 55, which served the families of the Robert Simpson Ranch and Williams Ranch. The topography is meticulously detailed with fine red dashed lines indicating specific fence and field lines, providing researchers with a precise record of historical property boundaries and grazing patterns in a land of few prominent landmarks.