1956 Map of Rochford

About this map

Black Hills National Forest land defines this mid-century landscape, where a legacy of gold and minerals is visible through sites like the Standby Mine and Cuttys Ark Mine. The settlement of Rochford serves as a northern anchor near Moonshine Gulch, while the Burlington and Quincy and Chicago and North Western rail lines navigate the steep gulches of the Black Hills. To the south, Slate Prairie offers a more open upland terrain, distinct for its concentration of local community landmarks including the Slate Prairie School and Slate Prairie Church. The geography is deeply carved by drainage systems like Rapid Creek and Castle Creek, which supported early industrial sites such as the Lookout Mill. This survey provides a look at the transition from mining centers like Myersville and Mystic to the forestry and transport network of the 1950s.