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1956 Map of Ditch Creek

Name: 1956 Topographic Map of Ditch Creek
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1965
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1965

About this map

Gillette Prairie and the surrounding high timberland of the Black Hills National Forest define this mid-century topographic study. The landscape is characterized by a network of drainage draws and family-owned ranching operations, including the Hoar Ranch, Sears Ranch, and both the Herman Matt Ranch and Tony Matt Ranch. These named holdings offer a look at the rural land use and genealogy of Pennington County during the 1950s.

Industrial activity is evidenced by the presence of the Accidental Mine near Gold Run and the Star-Penn Lode Mine in the southern reaches of the map. Water sources were critical for both ranching and mining in this environment, as shown by landmarks like Heely Spring, Gillette Well, and the confluence of Ditch Creek and Castle Creek. The topography is intricately detailed, from the peak of Hat Mountain to the deep contours of Gillette Canyon.