1956 Map of Cherry Creek NW

About this map

The Cheyenne River winds through this mid-century South Dakota landscape, defining the physical and political boundaries of the region. This 1956 survey, conducted as part of the Department of the Interior program for the development of the Missouri River Basin, reveals the sparse settlement patterns along the river valley and the neighboring heights. The map documents the Indian Reservation Boundary as it intersects the river, while prominent landmarks like Joshua Butte rise above the drainage systems of Cottonwood Creek and Little Cottonwood Creek. Local cattle ranching operations are anchored at named sites such as Red Fox Ranch, Motley Ranch, and White Cloud Ranch, which serve as the primary human identifiers in this open country. The transition from the high plains down to the riparian zones of Deep Creek and the main river channel is captured through detailed 20-foot contour intervals, illustrating the drainage network before further regional infrastructure developments changed the local character.