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1901 Map of Hermosa

Name: 1901 Topographic Map of Hermosa
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1913
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1913

About this map

Mining operations and early ranching dominate this turn-of-the-century landscape within the Black Hills National Forest. The map documents a critical period of extraction, showing the Lucky Cuss Quartz Mine, the Holy Smoke Mine, and the Etta Mine clustered near Keystone. Industrial processing is evidenced by the Etta Mill and an Old Smelter further north.

South of the Black Hills Base Line, the terrain shifts toward the open grazing lands of Harrison Flat and Martin Valley. Transportation is anchored by the Elkhorn and Missouri Valley (Chicago and Northwestern) railroad, which connects the settlements of Hermosa, Fairburn, and Buffalo Gap. Local landmarks like Robbers Roost and the ZX Ranch reflect the frontier character of the region as it transitioned from a mining boom to a more established ranching and rail-based economy.