1951 Map of Murdo 3 NW

About this map

Cottonwood Valley and the expansive ranchlands of Mellette County define this 1951 topographical study, conducted as part of the Department of the Interior's Missouri River Basin development program. The landscape is characterized by a network of drainage features such as Round-up Creek and Cottonwood Creek, which carve through the distinct terrain of Red Fish, Prospect, and Running Bird. Settlement is sparse, highlighting the isolated nature of West River ranching life in the mid-century. Important local landmarks for genealogists and historians include the UP Ranch and the Round-up Sch, which served as a focal point for the rural community near Round-up Gulch. The map's detailed contouring captures the complex breaks and ridges typical of this part of the Great Plains before modern agricultural and infrastructure changes altered many rural school and ranching districts.