1951 Map of Fairburn SE

About this map

The Cheyenne River winds through this mid-century landscape where Custer and Shannon Counties meet, creating a deep corridor flanked by elevated plains. This 1951 field-checked survey reveals the dispersed rural infrastructure of the Missouri River Basin development program, specifically identifying isolated educational outposts like Harrison Flat Sch and Greives Sch. The topography is defined by significant landmarks including the broad expanse of Harrison Flat and the prominent Table, which sit above the winding drainage of Cottonwood Creek and Spring Canyon. Along the eastern edge, the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation Boundary marks a clear administrative transition, while the northern reaches are carved by French Creek and its South Fork. These natural drainage patterns dictate the placement of early roads and small settlements across the high prairie.