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1949 Map of Velva

Name: 1949 Topographic Map of Velva
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1999
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1999

About this map

Velva sits at the heart of this landscape, positioned where the Minneapolis St Paul and Sault Ste Marie railroad tracks navigate the winding course of the Souris River. This 1940s-era survey illustrates a community deeply tied to the land and the rail, with the grid of the town site nestled in the river valley while the surrounding North Prairie is dotted with rural landmarks.

The map reveals the functional layout of the prairie during the mid-20th century, marking educational outposts like School No 31 and Coulee Sch. Significant drainage features such as Bonnes Coulee, Oak Creek, and Spring Creek define the local topography, leading toward the Souris River and Potters Lake. Evidence of local industry and infrastructure is visible through scattered Gravel Pits, reflecting the literal foundations of the region's development during this period of Missouri River Basin growth.