1939 Map of Sunburst

About this map

The international border between Canada and the United States defines the northern edge of this high plains landscape, where the town of Sweetgrass serves as a primary port of entry. In the late 1930s, the region was a center of industrial activity, evidenced by the numerous company housing nodes such as Ohio Camp, Texas Pacific Camp, and California Camp. These settlements, along with the towns of Sunburst, Kevin, and Ferdig, are linked by the Great Northern railroad and Route 91, tracing a corridor through the arid terrain. The map reveals an extensive network of oil and gas wells scattered across Willshaw Flats and near Buckley Coulee, highlighting the energy-driven economy of Toole County. Local education is anchored by rural institutions like Willshaw Sch and Superior Sch, providing a view of the social infrastructure supporting the oil field workers and ranching families of this era.