1950 Map of Towner NW

About this map

The Souris River meanders in tight oxbow loops across this McHenry County landscape, creating a distinct riparian corridor through the plains. The northern portion of the river's path is preserved within the Lower Souris National Wildlife Refuge, where a levee system manages the seasonal waters. The rural character of the mid-century is defined by a network of numbered district schools that once served the scattered farming families, including Poplar Grove Sch No 1, Mouse River Sch No 2, and Red Cross Sch No 1. Transport and infrastructure are represented by the diagonal line of the Great Northern railroad, which cuts across the southwest corner. For genealogists, the presence of the Mouse River Cem near Mouse River Sch No 1 provides a specific point of interest for tracing early residents of this prairie community.