1959 Map of Fairpoint SW

About this map

Elm Butte Divide and Cross Divide define the high ground in this sparsely populated stretch of western South Dakota at the close of the 1950s. The landscape is characterized by a dendritic drainage network where seasonal waters flow through channels like Eightmile Creek, Crooked Creek, and Lone Tree Creek. Human activity is concentrated around established cattle operations, notably the Chaffee Ranch in the east and Glenn Ranch to the west, reflecting the area's deep-rooted ranching economy. The border between Butte and Meade Counties bisects the northern sections, cutting through the high ridges. Topographical details reveal a complex system of draws and breaks, including Browns Draw and the various branches of the Elm Creek system such as West Elm Creek and Dry Elm Creek.