1951 Map of Badnation NW

About this map

The meandering White River defines the central landscape of this 1951 survey, carving a deep valley through the high plains of South Dakota along the border of Jones and Mellette counties. This map captures the topography of the Missouri River Basin development era, showcasing the drainage systems of White Thunder Creek and Squaw Creek as they feed into the primary river channel. Named townships and local districts such as Zickrick, Williams Creek, and Riverside indicate the sparse but organized settlement patterns of the period. To the south, the terrain rises toward the areas of Cody and Badnation, where intricate contour lines illustrate the sharp breaks and draws characteristic of this section of the Great Plains. The map provides an essential record of the natural watercourses and legal land divisions before significant modern agricultural or infrastructural changes altered the local landscape.