1956 Map of Medicine Mountain

About this map

Gillette Prairie opens up across the high terrain of the Black Hills National Forest, revealing a mid-century landscape of remote ranching and early education. This 1956 survey traces the winding course of Slate Creek and its many tributaries, such as South Slate Creek and Gooseberry Draw, which carve through the dense timber of the Black Hills. Evidence of rural community life is found at the South Slate Sch and the settlement of Tigerville, while the Chicago Burlington and Quincy railroad follows the narrow valley of Newton Fork. The topography is dominated by local landmarks like Medicine Mountain, near the Medicine Mtn Ranch, and Copper Mountain. Long-established routes like Six Mile Road provide access through the gulches and draws, including Bobcat Gulch and Reno Gulch, documenting a period when these upland prairies were actively worked by local families.