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2017 Map of Battleship Rock

Name: 2017 Topographic Map of Battleship Rock
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2017
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2017

About this map

Slim Buttes dominates this portion of Harding County, rising from the plains as a series of dramatic sandstone formations protected within the Custer National Forest. The landscape is characterized by a high concentration of named springs and seasonal drainages, such as Soap-Hole Spring, Prairie Woman Spring, and Tepee Canyon Cr, which historically provided vital water sources in this arid environment. These landmarks often carry descriptive local names that reflect the ranching and frontier history of the region.

Prominent vertical features like Battleship Rock, Flag Rock, The Castles, and Window Rock serve as distinct navigational markers across the terrain. Of particular historical significance is the Slim Buttes Battlefield Monument located near Gap Cr and Old Doc Gap, marking the site of a 1876 conflict between the U.S. Army and the Lakota. The presence of Moonshine Lake and numerous wells and tanks suggests a continued reliance on carefully managed water resources for livestock across this expansive landscape.