1951 Map of Van Metre

About this map

The small settlement of Van Metre sits at a critical junction in western South Dakota, where the Chicago and North Western railroad follows the winding valley of the Bad River. This mid-century survey illustrates the sparse, ranching-oriented landscape of the Stanley and Jones county line during the early 1950s. The topography is defined by the sharp erosion of the river bluffs, with drainage provided by seasonal tributaries like Plum Creek and White Clay Creek. The map documents a period when rail infrastructure remained the primary lifeline for these isolated prairie outposts, capturing the specific placement of sidings and structures alongside the river’s oxbows and the dry channel of Dry Creek.