Loading map...

1950 Map of Sheep Mountain Table

Name: 1950 Topographic Map of Sheep Mountain Table
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1952
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1952

About this map

Sheep Mountain Table dominates this 1950 survey, showcasing the erosion-carved topography where the high plains of South Dakota break into the badlands. The map documents the intersection of significant administrative and cultural boundaries, including the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and the Badlands National Monument. The terrain is defined by flat-topped mesas or "tables," such as Hart Table and Heck Table, which stand in stark contrast to the intricate drainage networks of Wind Creek and Spring Creek.

Smaller landmarks like Cedar Butte serve as distinctive navigational points within the reservation. The survey reflects a mid-century period of land management under the Department of the Interior's Missouri River Basin development program. This map provides a detailed view of the natural watercourses, such as North Cottonwood Creek, which have historically dictated the placement of trails and early human activity in this arid landscape.