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1956 Map of Crows Nest Peak

Name: 1956 Topographic Map of Crows Nest Peak
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1969
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1969

About this map

Black Hills National Forest defines the landscape of this 1950s survey, showing a rugged terrain where the livestock industry and forest management intersect. The map is centered on Crows Nest Peak Lookout Tower, a critical high point for fire observation in the era. A dense network of family-held properties is documented here, including the Mickelson Ranch, Luhtasaari Ranch, and Soholt Ranch, illustrating the dispersed settlement pattern characteristic of western Pennington County before modern consolidation.

Drainage systems like Castle Creek and Beaver Creek are punctuated by numerous named water sources such as Miller Spring and Procunter Spring, which were vital for the survival of remote ranching operations. The presence of Manganese Draw suggests the area's geological and mineral interests, while landmarks like Blind Park and Beaver Creek Camp provide specific touchstones for local history and genealogists tracing early twentieth-century homesteaders and forestry workers.