1953 Map of Elm Creek

About this map

The Belle Fourche River dominates this mid-century landscape in Meade County, winding in sharp, dramatic oxbows through the rural terrain of South Dakota. In the early 1950s, this area remained sparsely populated, characterized by isolated educational outposts and rugged cattle-country geography. Local history and genealogy researchers can pinpoint the exact locations of the rural Bachand Sch and Hayes Sch, which served as the community hubs for ranching families scattered across the plains. The terrain is further defined by the Alkali region and the drainage of Elm Creek, which feeds into the larger river system. This survey preserves the exact placement of local roads and property boundaries as they existed before modern land-use changes, providing a clear record of a traditional Western ranching environment.