1956 Map of Cherry Creek NW

About this map

The Cheyenne River Indian Reservation dominates this landscape along the border of Ziebach and Haakon counties. The high plains terrain is defined by the winding course of the Cheyenne River and its major tributaries, including Cottonwood Creek and Deep Creek. This survey captures the ranching character of the mid-20th century, centering on isolated family operations like the Red Fox Ranch, Motley Ranch, and White Cloud Ranch. The presence of Joshua Butte provides a prominent landmark above the dissected breaks and drainage basins. The map illustrates the sparsely populated nature of the region, where life and transit were dictated by the watercourses and the open range, just as modern photographic revisions were beginning to document subtle changes in land use.