1951 Map of Cuny Table West

About this map

Pine Ridge Indian Reservation land dominates this landscape, showing the complex high-plateau geography of South Dakota during the early 1950s. The terrain is defined by massive flat-topped mesas known as tables, including the expansive Cuny Table and Red Shirt Table. These formations are separated by deep, intricate drainages such as Battle Creek Canyon and the winding course of Cedar Creek. The map provides an architectural look at the natural erosion patterns of the Missouri River Basin development area, where Blindman Table stands as a distinct landmark. This survey, part of a Department of the Interior program, reveals the sparse infrastructure of the region, focusing on the topographic relief and the vast, open character of the reservation before modern developments arrived.