1985 Map of Salem

About this map

Salem and the surrounding agricultural plains of eastern South Dakota are meticulously detailed in this mid-1980s planimetric study. The landscape is defined by its deep commitment to conservation and rural community, featuring numerous National Waterfowl Production Areas and communal settlements such as Rosedale Colony and Rockport Colony. The map provides a clear look at the region's transport network before major modern shifts, showing the routes of the Burlington Northern and the Chicago and North Western railroads as they connected small hubs like Epiphany, Unityville, and Alexandria. In the northeast, the recreational and natural significance of Lake Herman State Park and Lake Madison stands out, while the winding paths of the Vermillion River and James Creek provide a natural contrast to the rigid township and range grid that organizes the South Dakota prairie.