1959 Map of Walcott

About this map

The settlement of Walcott serves as the focal point for this mid-century survey of the Red River Valley in Richland County. This landscape is defined by the rigid geometry of the township and range system, which dictates the layout of the agricultural lands across the Walcott and Colfax boundaries. The Great Northern railroad cuts a sharp diagonal through the terrain, providing the essential transport link for the region's grain-based economy. The map illustrates a transitional phase of development in the Missouri River Basin program, where precise photogrammetric methods from the early 1950s meet on-the-ground planetable surveys from the decade's end. The intricate contour lines reveal the subtle, complex drainage patterns and sand-dune-like formations that vary the otherwise level plains, highlighting the geological heritage of the ancient glacial lake bed.