1959 Map of Fairpoint NW

About this map

Elm Butte rises as a prominent landmark above the drainages of the South Dakota plains in this late-1950s survey. The landscape is defined by its seasonal hydrology, where several named waterways converge and diverge across the rangeland. The map illustrates the meandering paths of Plum Creek and Soft Water Creek as they traverse the eastern portion of the quadrangle. Along the western edge, the headwaters of Crooked Creek and the branching segments of Elm Creek trace the natural contours of the land. This survey also documents the geopolitical boundary between Butte Co and Meade Co, showing how the survey line cuts directly across the drainage basins. The lack of concentrated settlements or structures highlights the open, rural character of the region during this era, focused primarily on the topography of the creek beds and local buttes.