2017 Map of Bijou Hills

About this map

The Bijou Hills dominate the southern landscape of this Brule County quadrangle, rising above a network of section-line roads and prairie drainages. The small settlement of Ola serves as a central point in an area defined by its deep immigrant roots, as evidenced by the high density of denominational and ethnic burial grounds. Local genealogists will find several distinct sites, including the German Lutheran Cem, Amunid Emmanual Lutheran Cem, and the Swedish Lutheran Cem, alongside the Saint Vencels Bohemian National Cem to the east. These labels reflect the specific European settlement patterns that shaped the South Dakota plains. Water features are concentrated in the north and central regions, including Panzour Dam on Nelson Creek, the waters of America Lake, and the winding course of Elm Creek. The southern portion of the map is defined by the elevation changes of the hills and the seasonal flow of Snake Creek.