1952 Map of Signal Butte

About this map

Signal Butte rises above the open range of South Dakota’s northwestern plains, anchoring a landscape shaped by the Fox Ridge and the winding course of Deep Creek. This mid-century survey, produced as part of the Missouri River Basin development program, captures the rural character of the border between Perkins and Meade counties. Settlement in this period was sparse, centered around essential landmarks like the Cottonwood Sch and a single Windmill marking the higher ground. The map reveals the vital importance of water and passage in this environment, documenting a notable Ford across the creek and the path of Flint Creek as it drains toward the east. The terrain is defined by dramatic elevation changes along the breaks of the ridge, offering a clear record of the area’s topography before later modernizations altered the local ranching infrastructure.