1954 Map of Custer

About this map

Custer sits at the heart of this mid-century survey, serving as a hub for the rail and road networks that penetrate the surrounding Black Hills National Forest. The map documents a significant era of transition for the region, where the industrial legacy of the Clara Belle Mine and Wild Rose Mine meets the burgeoning tourism of the 1950s. High-elevation landmarks like the Harney Peak Lookout Tower and The Needles overlook the winding Needles Highway. A particularly notable feature is Thunderhead Mountain, which is labeled with its developing monument. Along the southern edge of town, the presence of a Drive-in Theater and Stockade Lake recreation areas contrast with the working lines of the Chicago Burlington and Quincy railroad, illustrating the dual nature of this mountain landscape.