1983 Map of Cow Butte SE

About this map

The Grand River National Grassland dominates the northern landscape of this Perkins County region, reflecting the transition of the Great Plains into protected federal stewardship. The area is defined by the drainages of Horse Creek and Duck Creek, where the sparse settlement pattern of the early 1980s is anchored by small rural institutions. Local history is preserved at sites like Zion Cem in the north and the Bethany Ch and Bethany Cem complex further south. These religious and civic hubs, including the Duck Creek Ch and nearby Duck Creek Sch, illustrate how a widely dispersed ranching community maintained its social fabric. The survey also identifies various water wells scattered across the townships of Viking, Horse Creek, and Wilson, marking the vital infrastructure required for life on these semi-arid highlands.