1950 Map of Sheep Mountain Table

About this map

The Badlands National Monument and the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation converge in this mid-century topographic survey of Pennington and Shannon Counties. The geography is dominated by high, flat plateaus like Sheep Mountain Table and Hart Table that drop away into the intricate erosion patterns of the Badlands. This environment shaped the sparse settlement and land use of the era, where the few named geographic landmarks such as Cedar Butte served as critical navigational points. The map reveals the intricate drainage system of the semi-arid region, including Cain Creek and Wind Creek, while the presence of the Reservation Boundary and the National Monument Boundary highlights the complex administrative landscape of South Dakota's western plains. For researchers, the 1950 field data provides a precise record of these borders and the natural landmarks that define this isolated terrain.