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1955 Map of Wichita

Name: 1955 Topographic Map of Wichita
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1967
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1967

About this map

Wichita sits at the confluence of the Arkansas River and Little Arkansas River, serving as a major regional hub during the mid-20th century. This survey documents the post-war expansion of the city, including the establishment of McConnell AFB and the growth of surrounding communities like Derby, Haysville, and Valley Center. The landscape is defined by the agricultural and industrial activities of the Flint Hills and the Arkansas River Valley, with numerous Oil Fields scattered across Butler and Greenwood counties.

Water management and recreation are central to the region's geography, shown through the footprints of Cheney Reservoir, Fall River Reservoir, and Lake El Dorado. A dense transportation network of railroads, including the At&SF RR and MP RR, connects the major centers of El Dorado, Arkansas City, and Newton. This edition captures the transition of South Central Kansas from a primarily rural agrarian economy into a more diversified landscape of aviation, oil, and regional reservoirs.