2012 Map of Phister Ranch

About this map

Phister Ranch serves as the namesake landmark for this ranching landscape in Fall River County, where the high plains of South Dakota are carved by an intricate network of seasonal drainages. The area is defined by the winding course of Cottonwood Cr and its various tributaries, including Little Cottonwood Cr and Softwater Cr, which dictate the local topography and the placement of rural access roads like Co Hwy 8. The map reveals a distinct pattern of land use, with several large, geometrically subdivided plots that stand out against the natural contours of Buck Draw and Alum Cr. These surveyed divisions, many connected by graded routes such as Rd 7007, suggest specialized agricultural or grazing developments typical of the modern western ranching economy.