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1954 Map of Deadman Mountain

Name: 1954 Topographic Map of Deadman Mountain
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1972
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1972

About this map

Black Hills National Forest land dominates this 1950s survey, showing a landscape defined by sharp elevation changes and subterranean features. The presence of Bethlehem Cave and Wonderland Cave indicates the geological significance of this area, while the Veteran Lookout Tower on a central peak highlights the fire-watch infrastructure of the mid-century Forest Service. Water management for nearby settlements is evident in the Sturgis Reservoirs along Alkali Creek, providing a grounded look at how resource needs were met during this era.

The topography is a dense network of gulches and creeks, including Deadman Gulch, Virkula Gulch, and Lost Gulch, which slice between peaks like Deadman Mountain and Flagstaff Mountain. In the southwestern corner, Reausaw Lake and Hay Creek provide a contrast to the high, dry timberlands that characterize the rest of the quadrangle. This map documents the boundary between Lawrence and Meade Counties, preserving the original trail and creek names that local historians and genealogists use to trace early land use.