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1951 Map of Stamford SE

Name: 1951 Topographic Map of Stamford SE
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1953
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1953

About this map

The White River meanders sharply through this landscape of the Missouri River Basin, defining the boundary lines between Jackson, Jones, and Mellette counties. In the early 1950s, this area of South Dakota was characterized by a network of isolated homesteads and community centers like St James Ch and the Harmony Sch. The northern portion of the map is dominated by the Chicago Milwaukee St Paul and Pacific railroad, which follows the breaks above the river valley.

Large cattle operations are a primary feature of the settlement pattern, with several family-named landmarks such as Perault Ranch, Vohr Ranch, and Bear Heels Ranch situated near reliable water sources like Yukon Creek and Red Fish Creek. Elevations range from the river bottom to the high plateaus of Grand View and the named crossing at Rocky Ford, providing a clear view of the rural ranching economy before modern infrastructure altered the local character.