1951 Map of Fairburn SE

About this map

The Cheyenne River carves a deep valley through this corner of Custer and Shannon Counties, defined by the sharp transition from river bottomlands to high prairie plateaus. At the time of this 1951 field check, the landscape supported a sparse network of rural educational outposts, including Harrison Flat Sch on the western plateau and Greives Sch near the southern edge. The map captures the meeting point of distinct geological and jurisdictional features, where the eastern boundary marks the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Topographical details reveal the dramatic rise of Squaw Humper Table and Harrison Flat above the river drainage, while a solitary Levee near the river bend indicates early efforts to manage seasonal water flow in this arid environment. Significant drainages like Spring Canyon and Cottonwood Creek feed into the main river channel, illustrating the erosion patterns that shaped the Badlands region.