1974 Map of Cow Butte NE

About this map

The North Fork Grand River defines the lower third of this rural landscape, carving a winding path through the plains of the Dakota borderlands. In the mid-1970s, this area was characterized by its remote ranching and farming infrastructure, centered around the North Grand Ch and an adjacent Cem. These sites, along with a scattering of wells, suggest a small but established community node north of the river. The terrain is marked by a complex network of drainage systems, including Lightning Creek, Buffalo Creek, and Willow Creek, which flow southward toward the primary river valley. High ground is found at Sandhill, while the township divisions of Holden, Horse Creek, and Viking organize the vast, open acreage of this border region.