1956 Map of Ditch Creek

About this map

Black Hills National Forest land defines this mid-century landscape, where high-altitude ranching and mining efforts shaped the local economy. The terrain is deeply incised by drainages such as Williams Draw, Sawmill Draw, and Windmill Draw, all contributing to the Sixmile Creek system. This 1956 field-checked survey, produced in cooperation with the United States Atomic Energy Commission, highlights the resource-rich nature of the Pennington back-country during the Cold War era. Cattle ranching on the high meadows is evidenced by several named holdings, including Gillette Prairie and Hoar Ranch. The industrial history of the region is grounded in operations like the Accidental Mine and the Stan-Penn Lode Mine, which sought minerals in the shadow of peaks like Hat Mountain and Odakota Mountain. The network of unimproved roads and the Sixmile Road provide a view of how this rugged interior was accessed before modern development.