1951 Map of Cuny Table West

About this map

Pine Ridge Indian Reservation land characterizes this mid-century topographic study, which captures the distinct plateau-and-canyon geography of western South Dakota. The map is dominated by massive elevated formations including Red Shirt Table and the extensive Cuny Table, which rise sharply above the surrounding drainages. These flat-topped tables provide a clear look at the region’s traditional land patterns and natural boundaries before later development or shifts in land use. The drainage network is clearly defined by Battle Creek Canyon in the northeast and the winding paths of Cedar Creek and Brush Creek. This survey, conducted as part of the Department of the Interior program for the development of the Missouri River Basin, provides essential data for understanding the physical landscape and tribal landholdings during the early 1950s.