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1953 Map of Hermosa NW

Name: 1953 Topographic Map of Hermosa NW
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1972
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1972

About this map

Spring Creek winds through this South Dakota landscape, providing a vital water source for the scattered ranching and agricultural operations of Pennington County during the mid-20th century. The settlement of Ajax and the point labeled Warbonnet represent small interior hubs of activity, while the Chicago and North Western railroad cuts a diagonal path through the southeastern corner, linking this territory to larger markets. Educational life in the rural district is anchored by the Neely Sch, situated near the creek's edge.

The terrain is defined by its named ridges and canyons, including Spiken Ridge, Walt Smith Ridge, and Murphy Canyon. Prominent landmarks like Potato Butte and Gobbler Knob serve as navigational anchors across the open country. This 1953 survey, later updated with aerial data from 1971, documents a period before significant modern development, where features like a lone Windmill or a Well were essential infrastructure in the semi-arid Black Hills foothills.