1957 Map of Venango

About this map

The Union Pacific rail corridor cuts through the northern landscape of this Ellsworth County quadrangle, passing through the small settlements of Terra Cotta and Arcola. This 1957 survey, with updates from the late 1970s, captures a transition in land use, from traditional agricultural plots and cemeteries like Terra Cotta Cem to the sprawling Smoky Hill Air Force Range in the east. The southern portion of the map is dominated by the waters of Kanopolis Lake, showing the infrastructure of the Kanopolis Dam and recreational developments such as the Venango Public Use Area and the Kanopolis Landing Field. Drainage patterns from Spring Creek and Sand Creek define the prairie terrain between the rail line and the reservoir, while prominent landmarks like Buzzard Roost offer a view of the varied topography.