1955 Map of Hot Springs

About this map

Mount Rushmore National Memorial and the granite spires of the Black Hills National Forest dominate the western portion of this 1955 survey, reflecting a landscape defined by federal conservation and monumental tourism. From the heights of Harney Peak, the terrain descends into the sprawling grasslands of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and the stark geological formations of the Badlands National Monument. The settlement of Hot Springs serves as a regional hub near the Angostura Reservoir, while the rail lines of the Chicago and North Western and Burlington Northern link the ranching communities of Edgemont and Custer. The map captures a complex intersection of tribal lands, national parks like Wind Cave National Park, and historic sites including Wounded Knee, documenting the cultural and physical geography of southwestern South Dakota during the mid-20th century.