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1951 Map of Murdo SW

Name: 1951 Topographic Map of Murdo SW
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1977
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1977

About this map

Murdo Municipal Airport sits near the northern boundary of this Jones County landscape, marking a point of modern infrastructure in a region otherwise defined by the complex drainages of Horse Creek and Hay Creek. This 1951 field-checked survey reveals the sprawling township divisions of Murdo, Buffalo, Mullen, and Westover, highlighting the rural layout of south-central South Dakota mid-century. Educational hubs like the East Buffalo Sch provided local centers for the ranching families scattered across these plains.

The topography is characterized by intricate creek systems, including the West Fork and East Fork, which carve through the terrain toward the south. Along Johnny Creek, the map details a network of unimproved roads and section lines that guided travel between remote homesteads. These details offer a clear view of the land's transition as aerial photography in 1949 and revisions in 1976 captured the evolving placement of rural landmarks and watercourses.