Map information:

The Harney Peak Ranch Topographic Map is a full-scale compilation of United States Geological Survey topographic maps, 7.5 minute survey. The original data for this map was compiled in 1952 and printed in 1953. The map was updated in 1978 with 1976 data. In other words, the map itself is forty-five years old and the latest improvements shown (in purple ink) are twenty-two years old! As a result, the scope of present community development is entirely absent. Fortunately, the topographic information has not changed in that period of time.

In order to derive utility from a map, the user must know both what information the map reveals and what is missing. The map clearly shows the terrain and features of the Harney Peak Ranch and nearby surrounding areas. The Harney Peak Ranch is approximately 2542 acres in size. The dimensions of available color reproduction equipment limited the surrounding area that could be included on this map.  Other map information is available on the master  and Black Hills maps. The ranch boundaries are outlined in black and white.

Also shown are the extensive creek frontages on both Rapid and Dry Creeks and also on the Rapid Creek relic channel. This relic creek area has been developed into a chain of water storage lakes and ponds with future aesthetic water appeal. Effectively, this alternative water channel reduces the flow requirement the main channel, creating highly desirable riverside frontage along Rapid Creek. The result is nearly a mile of irreplaceable streamside access on both sides of the prime Black Hills tributary.   No other location has comparable aesthetic and functional riverside and water feature access.

Harney Peak Ranch was amongst the first settled lands in the western Dakota Territory during the Gold Rush days of 1876.  The lands contain the prime sedimentary outwash deltas of both Rapid and Dry Creeks.  The first settlers knew where fertility lay. Senior Territorial water rights were first registered on the lands in 1878. The newly issued Pennington County Soil Map Survey confirms the pioneer wisdom.   The ranch lands almost completely occupy the rich topsoil delta zone between the western shale foothill formations and the prairie "gumbo" clay soils to the east.

The ranch properties have an extremely high density of surface water rights. The level areas shown in this map are, in fact, substantially covered by surface water rights. There are approximately 700 acres of senior and junior Rapid Creek –appurtenant water rights in Sections 10, 15and 22 (T1N R8E) and about 300-500 acres of Dry Creek water diversion rights (the only existing water rights on this tributary) in Sections 27and 35 (T1N R8E). There is an additional Rapid Creek water right with a later priority date (August 14, 1914) that may be available to supplement or irrigate more land (pending State of South Dakota approval).

This map shows two more important features. First, while not easy to interpret in two dimensions, the terrain features that screen Harney Peak Ranch from both prevailing winds and existing community development can be seen to the west and north of the main ranch unit. Fortuitous slopes give scenic viewway protection to almost all of the ranch property despite its proximity to the urban center. Additionally, the historic cattle shipping point of Warbonnet, SD (also know as Brennan Townsite) is also shown. One can easily imagine the great herds gathered in the surrounding sheltered Brennan Valley awaiting shipment. This authentic western trailhead landmark is one of the historic attributes of the ranch that provide genuine western notability.

What the map doesn’t show:

This map has not been updated since 1976. Since that time, Rapid City has grown significantly in both size and stature. Its location at the center of a major national transport hub and regional trade area has created consistent community growth. This growth has, at least until recently, created expanding but measured development both in Rapid City and its surrounding communities.

More recently, South Dakota’s aggressive tax, banking and economic development advantages have attracted increasing numbers of businesses fleeing urban problems. Rapid City has been recognized for combining business advantage with western scenery and mountain lifestyle values. Its role as the "Gateway to the Black Hills" and five local N.P.S. National Parks and Monuments has lately gained a new dimension. Climate, setting and tax advantages have brought retirees and electronic commuters from both coasts. A unique outgrowth of these factors is a rapidly growing "miracle mile" regional healthcare industry that is expanding southward toward the ranch lands.

While this map does show some seminal development from the early 1970s, the ranch boundaries now adjoin the eastern city limit. Currently, residential expansion has also consumed the almost all the available real estate beyond the ranch to the east. On the western side, fairway development around the adjoining Elks Club Golf Course is slated to expand as a high quality integrated community around the southeastern side of the city to the new Heartland Expressway (Highway 79 South). The Elks facility that anchors this effort is the eighth largest nationally as a consequence of its highly rated public/private golf course attracting both visiting and resident Elk members and other golf aficionados. The landscaping created around the Elks Club endows the ranch with Black Hills forest landscaping to go with its Black Hills views.

In the main urban center to the west, the last two or three years have seen the substantial consumption of available open space. This has occurred with astonishing speed in both Rapid City and throughout the Black Hills. This has left the Rapid Valley area as the primary resource for high quality growth space. Several business and industrial parks are located to the west and north of the ranch property but conveniently out of sight. Rushmore Business Park, to the north, anchored by the new and expanding Green Tree Financial Corp. center, overlooks Rapid Valley and the Black Hills beyond. It’s setting, mountain views and convenient access appear to be attracting the best of the newly arriving high-tech and financial enterprises to the adjacent valley.

Two recent four-lane expressways not shown on this map now adjoin the north and west ranch boundaries. The expressway to the recently expanded Rapid City Regional Airport forms the north property line. The ranch lands comprise the largest close-in frontage along this main east-west arterial. The primary intersection serving the Harney Peak Ranch headquarters at East 53^rd Street is the only one with land abutting the intersection on the southern (eastbound) side. No other Rapid Valley location can provide this favorable eastbound service access for traffic headed toward Rapid City Regional Airport and Badlands National Monument.

The 53^rd Street intersection should become the most prominent intersection in the area. It will tie in to most of the proposed exits on the upcoming Southeast Corridor Bypass. It is also the current (and probable future) perimeter route around the city’s southeast sector. In addition to highway frontage, the ranch controls both sides of the railroad track serving Kevin Costner’s Gold Rush era train from the regional airport to his new Dunbar Resort in Deadwood SD. This intersection and adjoining areas have the location and setting become the future elite-level retail center for the Rapid City area.

The Heartland Expressway, adjoining the ranch’s western Heartland Ranch parcel, is now under construction. It will complete the final freeway linkage of the Rapid City transport hub, connecting to Denver, Colorado and Interstate 80. Interstate 90, passing just north of the map’s upper margin, is not shown. Exit 61, three miles north of the ranch, is the location of the new regional information center and also the beginning of the upcoming Southeast Corridor Bypass.

When completed, the bypass will connect Interstate 90 directly for the first time with the Heartland Expressway and the Highway 16 Bypass Expressway to Mount Rushmore. It will run just west of the ranch and, as currently projected, all exit points on the future Heartland Expressway Southeast Corridor Bypass should feed directly to the ranch property. The conjunction of the new Black Hills Regional Information Center and the Heartland Expressway connection to Interstate 90 will tie together all major feeder routes to the central Black Hills. The result should be the most universally valuable intersection in South Dakota (and possibly for several states around). Harney Peak Ranch, given its size and convenient access to all exit points, will benefit more from this new transportation system than any other adjacent property.

Summary: History, Setting, Scenery, and Strategic Location = Unmatched Opportunity

This topographic map, while not updated for infrastructure, shows the topography and natural features of the Harney Peak Ranch. It can be used with the contemporary 1996 "Master Development Map" to create a more comprehensive view of the property and its surroundings. It gives a good general indication of the scenic appointments, protective terrain and usability of the Harney Peak Ranch property. The strong representation of valuable water features and "streamside" setting near both Rapid Creek and Dry Creek can be seen as well. Lastly, the property’s overall dominance of the community’s future growth can be easily extrapolated from its exposure to major traffic flows and strategic location astride the sole available development vector.

Full Sized Topographic Map

This property is offered by the Harney Peak Group. All information provided by Harney Peak Group or their sales representatives in connection with this property was acquired from sources deemed reliable and is believed to be accurate and reliable, however, we do not warrant it's accuracy or completeness. Some information may be presented in the form of estimates and projections and should be evaluated in that light. Harney Peak Group recommends that every item of interest to the purchaser (i.e. water laws, mineral laws, zoning, and use regulations, state, federal and private permits) be independently verified by the purchaser or their agents. This offering is subject to prior sale, price change, correction or withdrawal without notice.

Harney Peak Ranch Overview: Topographic Map