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1920 Map of Syracuse

Name: 1920 Topographic Map of Syracuse
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1920
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1920

About this map

The Arkansas River corridor defines the geography of this western Kansas region, serving as the primary artery for both transportation and settlement. Following the northern bank, the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroad connects the major hubs of Syracuse and Kendall, with smaller sidings like Mayline spaced along the tracks. Away from the river valley, the landscape is divided into named topographic districts like Lamont and Mitchell, where early agricultural outposts such as Hatton, Irene, and Menno appear as isolated settlements on the high plains.

To the south, Bear Creek meanders through the township of Thomas, where the remote settlement of Gognac sits near the county line. This 1920 edition, based on earlier surveys by Nat. Tyler Jr. and N. H. Darton, captures the area during its transition into a more established ranching and farming landscape, illustrating the critical relationship between the water-scarce uplands and the vital rail-and-river economy to the north.