1953 Map of Piedmont

About this map

Piedmont sits at the eastern edge of the Black Hills National Forest, where the prairie meets the rising limestone ridges and deep canyons of South Dakota. In the mid-twentieth century, this landscape was defined by the Chicago and North Western railroad corridor and a network of geological landmarks including Stagebarn Caverns and the Ice Cave. The interior forest reveals a history of early recreation and education, featuring the Dalton Lake Campground and the remote Pinkerton Sch near Boxelder Creek. High points like Steamboat Rock and Green Mountain overlook a complex system of gulches and creeks, such as Erskine Gulch and Bogus Jim Creek, that trace the transition from Lawrence and Meade counties into Pennington County. The presence of Camp Columbus and various named springs underscores the vital importance of reliable water and sheltered locations in this high-elevation terrain.