1955 Map of Dead Horse Flats

About this map

Black Hills National Forest land defines this corner of the South Dakota landscape, where the plateau of Dead Horse Flats drops into a complex network of drainage systems. The map, produced in cooperation with the Atomic Energy Commission, captures a high-altitude environment marked by critical water sources such as North Antelope Spring and Dead Horse Spring. These scattered water points were essential for isolated operations like Wilson Ranch and Pitts Ranch, which sit tucked between the deep cuts of Gillette Canyon and Redbird Canyon. Notable subterranean features like Beartrap Cave and Igloo Cave appear near the northern border, while landmarks such as Surveyors Hill and Red Butte provide orientation across the broken terrain.