1953 Map of Nemo

About this map

Greenwood and Nemo anchor this detailed study of the Black Hills National Forest as it appeared in the early 1950s. The landscape is defined by the winding course of Boxelder Creek and its many tributaries, including Blue Draw Creek and North Fork Estes Creek. Settlement is sparse, concentrated in small outposts and timber-rich valleys where legacy sites like the Lucky Strike Mine and Hillside School appear alongside organized recreation areas such as Scout Camp and Boxelder Camp. The map clearly delineates the Lawrence and Pennington County boundary line, which crosses the rugged terrain between Pilot Knob and Merritt. This 1953 field-checked data preserves a specific moment in the Black Hills, showing the complex network of draws and peaks like Crystal Mountain and White Mansion before modern development altered the forest's interior character.