1950 Map of Conata

About this map

Pine Ridge Indian Reservation occupies the southern half of this 1950 survey, where the White River carves a winding path through the Badlands landscape. To the north, the corridor of the Chicago Milwaukee St Paul and Pacific railroad serves the small settlement of Conata, providing a vital transit link across the prairie. The map captures an era of early natural resource exploration, evidenced by an Oil Well located north of the river near Kelier Butte. The terrain is defined by prominent high points such as Castle Butte and Hurley Butte, while Redwater Creek drains the reservation lands to the south. This survey documents the intersection of indigenous lands, early industrial infrastructure, and the distinct geological formations of Pennington and Shannon Counties.