1899 Map of St. Paul

About this map

Loup River and its major tributaries define the topography of central Nebraska in this late nineteenth-century reconnaissance. The settlement of St. Paul serves as a regional hub at the confluence of the North Fork Loup River and the main channel, where the Burlington and Missouri River R. R. meets the Union Pacific R. R. (Ord Br.). Further southeast, Central City sits on the northern bank of the Platte River, a vital transportation corridor for the Union Pacific R. R. main line. This survey captures a specific agricultural transition, showing the early township grid system and naming distinct local districts such as Gage Valley, Midland, and Lone Tree. Curious landmarks like Four Room Blowout and Mumpumpey Hill provide evidence of the unique sandy soil features encountered by early surveyors and homesteaders in Howard and Merrick counties.