1951 Map of Murdo SW

About this map

The rolling hills and drainage basins of central South Dakota are meticulously documented in this 1951 study, conducted as part of the Department of the Interior program for the development of the Missouri River Basin. The landscape is defined by the winding paths of Horse Creek and Johnny Creek, which carve through the townships of Buffalo, Mullen, and Westover. This era of the Great Plains is characterized by a sparse but organized settlement pattern, centered around the rural education system. The presence of West Buffalo Sch and East Buffalo Sch highlights the local focal points for ranching families in the mid-twentieth century. Benchmarks such as BM 2227 and BM 1761 provide precise elevation data across the shifting terrain, where the West Fork and East Fork meet the broader watershed of Hay Creek.