1951 Map of Murdo 3 NE

About this map

The White River carves a winding course through the northern portion of this South Dakota landscape, defining the jagged physical boundary between Mellette Co and Jones County. Much of the southern terrain is dominated by the broad Cottonwood Valley, where Cottonwood Creek meanders through a network of dry coulees and rising ridges. This 1951 field survey highlights the remote rural character of the Rosebud Indian Reservation at mid-century, where the local social infrastructure is represented by solitary landmarks like the Valley View Sch. The intricate contouring reveals the transition from the high prairie flats of Mullen down into the eroded breaks along the river, illustrating the topographical challenges faced by early ranchers and residents of this region.