1955 Map of Devils Tower

About this map

Devils Tower National Monument dominates the western portion of this mid-century survey, surrounded by the winding loops of the Belle Fourche River. This map captures a landscape defined by ranching and rural education, where family operations like Devils Tower Ranch and the Fort Ranch are connected by a network of small schoolhouses. In the mid-1950s, the community of Hulett served as the local hub, complete with its own Rodeo Grounds and Hulett Sch. The mapping detail reflects a transition from traditional livestock territory toward recreational use, as seen in the proximity of Devils Tower PO to the monument. Numerous one-room schoolhouses, such as Wilson Sch, Cotton Sch, and Tower Divide Sch, are scattered throughout the Black Hills National Forest and along the various divides, illustrating the decentralized settlement pattern before the consolidation of rural schools.