1977 Map of Table Top Butte

About this map

Table Top Butte rises above the open range of the High Plains in this late 1970s survey. The landscape is defined by its drainage systems and distinct geological rises, notably Saddle Butte and Rattlesnake Butte to the south. The mapping captures the border between Butte and Meade counties, showing a territory where water is the primary landmark. The winding course of Sulphur Creek and its tributary, South Sulphur Creek, carve through the terrain, joined by the aptly named Soft Water Creek. This survey provides a clear view of the rural section lines and unimproved roads that crisscross the prairie, illustrating the sparse settlement and cattle-country character of western South Dakota before modern development altered the remote ranching infrastructure.