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1968 Map of Ralph SW

Name: 1968 Topographic Map of Ralph SW
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1971
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1971

About this map

Big Nasty Creek and Coal Bank Creek carve through this rural landscape of Harding County, South Dakota, as it appeared in the late 1960s. The area is characterized by scattered water sources like Smith Dam and Sarsland Lake, essential infrastructure for the remote ranching and farming operations indicated by the network of section lines and fence markers.

Social and civic life is centered around rural institutions such as Lincoln Sch and Norbeck Sch, which served the local families. Religious and community gatherings are anchored by Immanuel Ch, located near a small Cem. The map detail shows a land defined by water management and survival, with labels for Spring and Well punctuating the drainage patterns of Lems Creek. This document serves as a record of the high plains before modernization altered the localized water and road networks.