1985 Map of De Smet

About this map

De Smet serves as the central hub of this eastern South Dakota landscape, where the prairie is defined by a dense network of glacial lakes and critical waterfowl habitats. The mid-1980s geography reveals a region deeply shaped by its water and rail connections, with the Chicago and North Western and Burlington Northern lines cutting across the plains to support towns like Arlington and Howard. The map highlights specialized communal settlements such as Cloverleaf Colony and Pearl Creek Colony, illustrating the distinct social fabric of the territory. Significant hydrological features include the sprawling Lake Thompson and the dry Lake Preston lakebed, alongside numerous State Game Production Areas that emphasize the importance of conservation in this agricultural heartland. To the southeast, the recreation and natural beauty of Oakwood Lakes State Park and Lake Madison mark the transition toward more developed lakeside communities.