1969 Map of Darlington

About this map

Big Lost River Valley forms the heart of this Idaho survey, showing the complex network of water management and transport that sustained life in the high desert of Custer and Butte Counties in the late 1960s. The landscape is defined by the contrast between the dramatic elevations of the White Knob Mountains and Appendicitis Hill and the irrigated floor of the valley. Settlement centers around Leslie and Darlington, where the Union Pacific railroad tracks run parallel to the Big Lost River. An intricate system of water distribution is evident, featuring named channels such as the Blaine Canal, Angelo Ditch, and the Three In One Ditch. Of particular interest to local historians are the Darlington Sinks and the Darlington Cem, providing a detailed look at the infrastructure and genealogy of this ranching region.