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1951 Map of Ideal NW

Name: 1951 Topographic Map of Ideal NW
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1953
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1953

About this map

The White River carves a winding path across the South Dakota plains, defining the boundary between Lyman and Tripp counties. This mid-century survey reveals a landscape of isolated ranching outposts and small rural schoolhouses that served the expansive homesteads of Sylvia, Edna, and Star Valley. The presence of the Nelson Sch (Abandoned) by the early 1950s suggests the shifting demographics of the region, while the Edna Sch remained a focal point for the community near the Christensen Ranch.

Water management is central to life in this arid environment, evidenced by the Flowing Well and the naming of fertile lowlands like Gunny Sack Bottom. The topography is intricately detailed, showing the dissected breaks and drainage networks of Dog Ear Creek and Iron Creek as they feed into the primary river valley. These features, along with scattered Gravel Pits, document the local economy and infrastructure during the postwar development of the Missouri River Basin.