1961 Map of Savoy

About this map

Spearfish Creek carves a dramatic path through this high-altitude section of the Black Hills National Forest in the early 1960s. The settlement of Savoy serves as a central hub, situated at the confluence where Spearfish Falls and Roughlock Falls drop from the surrounding plateaus. The map details a landscape transition from the broad Limestone Plateau in the south to the deeply incised gulches of the north, including Hellsgate Gulch and Calamity Gulch. Local landmarks like the Little Spearfish Guard Station and various camps, including Rod and Gun Campground, indicate the area's mid-century role as a primary recreation and forestry outpost. An intricate network of water management is visible through labels like Aqueduct, while smaller settlements such as Preston and Elmore highlight the localized mining and timber history of the region. Distinctive place names like What the Hell Spring and Dead Oz Spring offer a glimpse into the vernacular geography of these South Dakota highlands.