1951 Map of Okaton SW

About this map

The White River meanders sharply across this mid-century landscape, defining the jagged border between Jones Co and Mellette Co. This topographic record, based on 1949 aerial photography with 1976 revisions, documents a ranching-heavy economy centered on the fertile but difficult breaks of the river valley. Numerous family holdings are mapped by name, including the Peterson Ranch, Blom Ranch, and Graham Ranch in the northwestern sector, while the Wedean Ranch and Sandy Ranch occupy the eastern bends. The topography is dominated by distinct high-ground areas labeled Grandview, Okaton, and Redfish, which overlook a network of drainages like Yukmi Creek and Cottonwood Creek. The presence of several Gravel Pits suggests localized resource extraction supporting the sparse road network of this South Dakota interior.