1968 Map of Madison NW

About this map

Spring Lake and the wetlands of the Prairie Coteau define this rural South Dakota landscape as it was documented in the late 1960s. The region is marked by a complex network of glacial depressions, including Lake Badus, Dry Lake, and Dooley Slough, which feed into the meandering course of Battle Creek. This geography created a challenging environment for early infrastructure, yet the Chicago Milwaukee St Paul and Pacific railroad successfully cut across the southwestern corner of the quadrangle, linking these isolated agricultural townships to broader markets. Local history is anchored by St Anns Cem, located near the shores of Lake Badus, serving as a silent record of the families who settled this area of Lake County. The map also identifies a National Wildlife Management Area, highlighting the early efforts to preserve the critical waterfowl habitat provided by these natural basins and sloughs.