1954 Map of Jewel Cave SE

About this map

The Black Hills National Forest defines this Custer County landscape, where the deeply incised drainage of Hell Canyon meets a complex network of seasonal creeks and springs. Situated in the southwestern corner of the forest, the area is characterized by the convergence of Pass Creek, East Pass Creek, and West Pass Creek. Local infrastructure in the mid-1950s was sparse, centered around cattle ranching and forestry needs, as evidenced by the McClelland Sch and numerous named water sources such as Sutherland Spring and Rogers Shack Spring. The map's production involved the United States Atomic Energy Commission, reflecting the era's focus on mineral potential in the Black Hills. The absence of major settlements highlights the rural character of these limestone canyons and high ridges during the post-war period.