1915 Map of Spearfish

About this map

Black Hills National Forest dominates this landscape, revealing a dense network of mining camps and mountain settlements established during the peak of the regional gold boom. The industrial heart of the region is centered on Lead, where the Golden Reward Mine and the Flatiron Mine signify the intensive extraction of the era. Transportation routes are defined by the Burlington and Missouri River R.R., which winds through the steep gulches to reach high-altitude hubs like Trojan and Terry. Further north, Spearfish serves as a gateway at the mouth of Spearfish Creek, contrasting with the more industrial character of North Lead and Central City. This survey captures the complex topography of the Limestone Plateau and the deeply incised Rubicon Gulch, illustrating how geology dictated the placement of every railroad spur and mining claim during the early twentieth century.