1951 Map of Smithwick NW

About this map

The Cheyenne River winds through the heart of this landscape, cutting a deep valley between expansive plateaus at the border of Custer and Fall River counties. This 1951 field-checked survey reveals a sparsely populated ranching environment where life centered on the intermittent water of drainage basins like Lame Johnny Creek and Plumb Creek. The high ground of W G Flat and Harrison Flat dominates the topography, providing a distinct view of the prairie before modern agricultural shifts. Evidence of early rural education is preserved at the W G Flat Sch, a small landmark serving the families scattered across these remote uplands. The mapping, part of the Missouri River Basin development program, captures the intricate network of natural draws such as Iron Draw and Hay Canyon that defined property lines and travel routes in this portion of South Dakota.