2017 Map of James

About this map

The James River meanders through this portion of Brown County, defining the agricultural character of the prairie landscape. The small settlement of James serves as a local landmark along James Rd, while the nearby James Cem provides a tangible connection for genealogists researching family history in Gem Township. This 2017 survey reflects a deeply organized township-and-range system, with a dense network of section-line roads such as 133rd St and 401st Ave that facilitate access across the open terrain. In the southeastern corner, Mud Cr cuts through the plains, contributing to the drainage patterns of the region. The map captures a quintessential South Dakota rural landscape where the placement of cemeteries and small communities remains anchored to the original survey lines and the natural course of the river.