1972 Map of Thunder Hawk SW

About this map

Standing Rock Indian Reservation encompasses this entire 1970s landscape in Corson County, characterized by the expansive drainages of the Thunder Hawk and Rolling Green regions. The terrain is defined by a dense network of intermittent watercourses, including Willow Creek, its West Branch, and Deer Creek, which carve through the plains. Settlement is sparse, with Paris serving as a localized point of interest amidst the ranching and agricultural land. Human impact on the land is further evidenced by a singular Mine and various scattered wells. This survey provides a clear view of the topographic character of the northern South Dakota prairie before more modern developments, showing the relationship between the natural water systems and the early rural infrastructure of the reservation.