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1952 Map of Steele NE

Name: 1952 Topographic Map of Steele NE
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1954
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1954

About this map

The town of Dawson anchors the southern edge of this mid-century survey, a region defined by its complex network of prairie potholes and wetlands. This 1952 topographic study reveals a landscape dominated by shifting water bodies, including the expansive Buffalo Lake and the nearby Dead Buffalo Lake, alongside Sibley Lake and Big Muddy Lake. These features reflect the post-glacial geography of Kidder County, where small depressions create a dense pattern of seasonal and permanent lakes across townships like Allen and Vernon.

Family and community history are preserved in the locations of Allen Cem and early educational outposts such as School No 1 and School No 2. State of North Dakota Water Conservation Commission data from this era highlights the importance of managing these water resources within the surrounding townships, including Woodlawn, Quimby, and Sibley. The map detail captures the intersection of early 1950s infrastructure and the natural hydrological character of the northern plains.