1968 Map of Eagles Nest Butte

About this map

The North Fork Grand River defines the northern reaches of this landscape along the border of Bowman County, North Dakota, and Harding County, South Dakota. During the late 1960s, this area remained a sparsely populated ranching environment where small rural schoolhouses like Lone Tree Sch and Cox Sch served as local landmarks. The terrain transitions from the river valley to the prominent Eagles Nest Butte and the wooded elevations of the Custer National Forest to the south. Numerous water sources, including McCumsey Spring and Cox Spring, suggest the vital importance of groundwater for livestock and early inhabitants of the North Hills. The presence of the Grand River Cem near the riverbanks and the Picnic Spring Campground highlights the area's dual role as both a site of early settlement and a destination for outdoor recreation.