1951 Map of Merna

A remarkably high density of rural schools, such as Sunshine Sch, Thomas Sch, and Prairie Hill Sch, is scattered throughout the township, suggesting a time of thriving farmstead communities before the widespread consolidation of rural districts. Local history and genealogy are anchored by features like the Merna Cem and the distinctive terrain of Ryno and Kilfoil, providing a clear record of land use and naming conventions in Custer County during the mid-20th century.