1956 Map of Beehive

About this map

The Stillwater River carves through the landscape of Stillwater County, providing the primary water source for the early 1950s agrarian and ranching activities centered around Beehive. This area is defined by sharp topographic shifts where canyon lands meet high-altitude forests. The presence of the Beehive Sch near the river suggests a consolidated community node during this era, while the Lewis-Hudson-Fowler Trail traces a historic route through the Fishtail Basin toward the higher elevations of the Custer National Forest. Land use in the mid-century reflected a mix of timber management and small-scale extraction, evidenced by a Mine located near the southern Forest Boundary. High landmarks like Beehive Rock and Fishtail Butte served as natural navigation points for residents moving between the settlement of Dean and the remote waters of Island Lake and Heart Lake.