1955 Map of Jewel Cave NW

About this map

The Black Hills National Forest landscape shown here in 1955 reflects a rugged ranching and conservation era in Custer County. At the northern edge of the map, the Jewel Cave National Monument marks the entrance to one of the world's most significant cave systems, while the nearby Tepee Ranger Station serves as a hub for forest management. The presence of both the Lauzon Sch and the Elk Mountain Sch (Abandoned) highlights the shifting demographics of rural mountain life during the mid-20th century. Numerous water sources, including Baldwin Spring and Jumpoff Spring, define the localized settlement patterns near ranching outposts like the X-T Ranch and the small community of Gillette. The terrain is deeply incised by drainages such as Hell Canyon and Tepee Canyon, illustrating the complex hydrology that influenced early road placement and land use.