1953 Map of Fort Meade

About this map

The landmark igneous intrusion of Bear Butte dominates this landscape, rising above the surrounding plains northeast of the Fort Meade Military Reservation. The map captures a period of transition for Fort Meade, showing the facility's shift from its 19th-century cavalry origins toward its 20th-century role as a Veterans Hospital. The inclusion of the Bear Butte National Wildlife Refuge and Bear Butte Lake reflects the early 1970s emphasis on land conservation and recreation alongside the region's deep military roots.