1956 Map of Deerfield

About this map

Deerfield Lake serves as a central hub for the drainage and geography of this section of the Black Hills National Forest. In the mid-1950s, the landscape was a mix of resource extraction and scattered high-country ranching. Gold mining efforts are marked by the Yellow Bird Mine, King of the West Mine, and Black Tunnel Mine near Castle Creek. Small local schools like the Deerfield Sch and Reynolds Prairie Sch provide evidence of the rural community's footprint during this era. High peaks such as Flag Mountain, complete with its Lookout Tower, and White Tail Peak dominate the skyline above a network of draws and gulches. The area's settlement pattern is defined by family-named holdings, including the Monheim Ranch and Erickson Ranch, alongside recreational spots like Merry-Go-Round Camp.