1951 Map of Volunteer SE

About this map

The Volunteer Sch and the southern reaches of the Belle Fourche river dominate this mid-century topographic record of rural South Dakota. Centered on the boundary between Butte and Meade counties, the landscape is defined by the drainage patterns of Eightmile Creek, Elm Creek, and the winding Fourmile Creek. The survey reveals a sparsely populated ranching or agricultural region where life centered around local schoolhouses and natural landmarks like Englishman Butte. A small Gravel Pit near the river suggests localized industrial activity, while the network of unimproved roads and trails illustrates the era's rural connectivity. This detailed mapping reflects the 1950s infrastructure before significant modern development, preserving the locations of remote homesteads and local waterways like Dry Fourmile Creek.