1955 Map of Mt. Coolidge

About this map

Mt Coolidge dominates the northern heights of this mid-century survey, a central landmark within the expansive boundaries of Custer State Park. The landscape is defined by the convergence of major wilderness preserves, where the state park meets the Black Hills National Forest and the northern edge of Wind Cave National Park. Small outposts of human activity are visible at Blue Bell and the settlement of Galena, set against a complex drainage system including the North Fork Lame Johnny Creek and the meandering French Creek. High-elevation observation points such as Rankin Ridge and a prominent Lookout Tower underscore the region's importance for forest management and fire surveillance during the 1950s. The road network, marked simply as State and Park routes, illustrates the emerging infrastructure for tourism and conservation in South Dakota’s Black Hills.