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1954 Map of Mount Rushmore

Name: 1954 Topographic Map of Mount Rushmore
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1968
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1968

About this map

Mount Rushmore National Memorial stands as the central landmark of this mid-century survey, surrounded by the deep mining and timber heritage of the Black Hills National Forest. The map documents a landscape transitioning from its pioneer mining roots toward a burgeoning tourism economy. Historic mining operations like the Empire Mine, Holy Smoke Mine, and Etta Mine are clustered near Keystone, while the Chicago Burlington and Quincy railroad line snakes through the rocky terrain to serve these industrial hubs.

Local life is recorded through a network of small schools and remote settlements, including Rockerville, Hayward, and the community at Spokane. Significant recreation and conservation areas are already well-established, from the waters of Sheridan Lake to the southern reaches of Custer State Park. Unique features such as the Stratosphere Bowl and the Boulder Hill Lookout Tower provide specific points of interest for those studying the mid-century development of Pennington and Custer Counties.