1956 Map of Big Hill

About this map

Wickahoney Crossing and the surrounding high desert plateaus of Owyhee County are defined by a network of seasonal water sources and primitive transportation routes in this mid-century survey. The landscape is marked by unique geologic features like Hole in Rock, while vital water points such as Deer Water Spring and Broken Wagon Flat Reservoir indicate the region's historical reliance on managed water for ranching. The drainage systems of Big Jacks Creek, Wickahoney Creek, and Sugar Creek carve through the terrain, dictating the placement of the Battle Creek Road and several unnamed jeep trails. This survey captures a moment when travel through this part of Idaho still depended heavily on established landmarks and backcountry paths like the Parker Trail, long before modern infrastructure altered the navigation of these canyons and gulches.