1983 Map of Prairie City NW

About this map

The South Fork Grand River defines the southern reach of this landscape, carving through the high plains of Perkins County near the Harding County line. The terrain is marked by a complex drainage system, where the river is joined by Big Nasty Creek, Middle Creek, and Fivemile Creek. This network of seasonal waterways suggests a ranching and agricultural economy reliant on the sparse water sources of the West River region. Local history is anchored by the South Grand River Cem and Schon Cem, which serve as quiet markers of the families who settled this open country. To the south, the land rises toward the prominent landform of White Hill, while scattered evidence of local industry appears in the form of a Gravel Pit and isolated wells. The map captures a moment of transition, showing the infrastructure of the early 1980s, including a power Substa, overlaid on the enduring topography of the Great Plains.