1971 Map of Tar Valley

About this map

Tar Valley defines the landscape of this high-plains Nebraska survey, where the undulating dunes and depressions of the Sandhills are captured in precise topographic detail. The terrain is largely defined by these natural contours, illustrating the specialized land use required in such a porous environment during the early 1970s. Human activity is sparse, centered on the Frizler Fair Haven Ranch, a named landmark that suggests the importance of large-scale cattle ranching and localized family operations in this portion of the Panhandle. Along the eastern border, Horse Lake sits near the county line, providing a rare permanent water feature in an otherwise arid expanse of rangeland. The map clearly delineates the boundary between Garden County and Morrill County, showing how these political lines intersect the natural drainage patterns and private holdings of the era.