1956 Map of Ditch Creek

About this map

Gillette Prairie and the surrounding high country of the Black Hills National Forest define this mid-century survey of Pennington County. The landscape is characterized by a network of isolated homesteads and ranching operations, including the Hoar Ranch, Herman Matt Ranch, and Tony Matt Ranch, illustrating the dispersed settlement pattern of the western Black Hills. Mining activity remains evident on the terrain, marked by the Accidental Mine and the Stan Penn Lode Mine further south. The drainage system of Castle Creek and its forks carves through the topography, flanked by prominent peaks like Hat Mountain and Odakota Mountain. Numerous named draws such as Williams Draw and Windmill Draw suggest the importance of local topography for water management and livestock movement in this high-elevation environment.